ANGUIS FRAGILIS. 207 



inclining backwards ; ear-openings very small ; no legs ; 

 body like that of a snake ; scales smooth. Contains only 

 one knowTi species. 



Anguis fragilis. 



Anguis fragilis, Dum. et Bib. vol. v. p. 792; Schinz, Eui-op. Faun. 



vol. u. p. 34 ; BuoN. Faun. Ital. (figured) ; Bell, Brit. 



Reptiles. 

 The Blind- worm, or Slow- worm. 



Description. — This animal possesses the outward appear- 

 ance of a true snake ; it must, however, notwithstanding, 

 be classed with Saurian Reptiles in consequence of the 

 structure of the head, the consolidation of the bones of the 

 cranium and jaws, and the narrow and confined gape. The 

 body is cylindrical, decreasing very slowly in diameter to- 

 wards the tail, which last ends rather abruptly and bluntly, 

 and, when perfect, equals the body in length ; the plates 

 of the head are more numerous than in other Scincoid 

 Reptiles ; the lower eyelid is scaly and imbricated ; the 

 body is covered with small, nearly equal, rounded scales, 

 not keeled. The general colour is brownish grey above, 

 with a silveiy glance ; there are generally several parallel 

 longitudinal rows of little dark spots along the sides, and 

 one along the middle of the back ; sometimes the spots and 

 lines are wholly wanting ; the lower parts are bluish black, 

 with whitish network. 



The young are very light yellowish grey above, the sides 

 and belly quite black ; they are bom alive, generally from 

 seven to twelve at a birth. 



The Blind- worm casts its skin like the Serpent tribe. 



The entire length is from 10 to 14 inches. 



It inhabits the whole of Europe, excepting the most 

 northern regions; it is, however, unknown in Ireland, 

 although common in England and Scotland. Schinz states 

 that it is not found at a high elevation on the Alps. 



