Q6 BRITISH LIZARDS 



the various colours which are met with were mentioned. 

 It need only be stated here that a large series of 

 specimens will show a great range of colour variation, 

 and it is only by examining such a series that the 

 student of lizards can become familiar with all the 

 differences which the species may show. The general 

 impression will be gained that the males have more 

 green about them than the females, the latter of 

 which include the browner types. Thus sex evidently 

 plays a part in the production of the varying colours, 

 and the other factors concerned will be studied in a 

 later chapter. 



Reproduction. — The sand lizard is the only lizard of 

 the mainland of Great Britain which is oviparous or 

 an egg-layer. In this respect it agrees with the 

 green lizard and the wall lizard of the Channel Isles, 

 and with one of our snakes, namely, the ring-snake. 

 Pairing takes place in England in May or June, 

 according to the particular kind of spring weather in 

 vogue. The eggs are deposited some four weeks or so 

 later, in July, to the number of eight, frequently five, 

 six, or seven. Some observers state that as many as 

 a dozen are sometimes deposited. The female simply 

 makes a depression in the sand, and leaves the eggs to 

 hatch out by the aid of the heat of the sun and 

 moisture. If the habitat be not in sandy ground, the 

 eggs will be placed under leaves, earth, or debris. The 

 egg-membrane is thin, but of firm consistence, having a 

 parchment-like appearance. 



