36 BRITISH LIZARDS 



until the latter is within reaching distance, then poises 

 its head in a delicate curve over the body of the slug, 

 and with a quick movement — the only sign of haste 

 in the whole business — seizes the mollusc by the 

 middle. There is then a momentary pause as if to 

 make sure that the grip is satisfactory, during which 

 the reptile remains motionless while the slug exudes 

 frothy bubbles. A sudden wide gape of the jaws and 

 mouth — as far as the fixed jaws allow of distension — 

 and the slug disappears head-first down the throat of 

 the slow-worm, as if it were the direction of least 

 resistance. Then follows much gaping and licking of 

 jaws on the part of the slow-worm, and should another 

 slug come into range the process is immediately re- 

 peated. The slug never takes the slightest notice of 

 the slow-worm until it is seized, indeed they will 

 frequently crawl all over the creature which a few 

 minutes later feeds upon them. I have found that 

 the larger slugs are refused, and so also are the brightly 

 coloured ones ; probably the latter are flavoured in a 

 manner disagreeable to the slow-worm. 



Slow-worms should never be allowed to be short of 

 water. They drink frequently, and some are very 

 fond of lying in a shallow bath, while others do not 

 seem to care about it. They will also take milk. 



