36 LACERTID.E. 



siderable period. The young when brought forth are fully 

 formed, and capable of running about, and very shortly after- 

 wards of taking their own food. The usual number is from 

 three to six. 



Although I have alluded to the sun's influence as being 

 the means of hastening the evolution of the embryo in the 

 oviparous reptiles, it is not to be concluded that the same 

 source of warmth is unnecessary in the present and similar 

 instances. The only difference is, that in the ovo-viviparous 

 species the solar heat is communicated to the embryo 

 through the medium of the mother ; and hence we often see 

 the pregnant female about the month of June constantly 

 basking in the sun, and lying in such a position as to expose the 

 body most fully to his influence. Every one who has watched 

 the habits of our native reptiles must have seen the same 

 circumstance in the gravid female of the Common Viper ; and 

 may have observed how much more reluctantly and tardily 

 she leaves the genial spot than the male. 



This little Lizard is much smaller and more gracile in its 

 form than the L. agilis. The head is more depressed, rather 

 narrower, and the muzzle more acute. The arrangement 

 and relative size of the plates on the head do not differ very 

 considerably ; but those of the temples are much smaller and 

 more numerous in the present than in the former. The 

 collar consists of nine plates, which are nearly equal ; the ab- 

 dominal plates in six rows, the middle and outer ones nar- 

 rower than the intermediate. The dorsal scales are nar- 

 rower, more angular, and the carina less distinct than in 

 L. agilis : those of the tail are nearly similar. The feet 

 are more slender, and the toes longer in proportion. The 

 femoral pores, which vary less in number than in the other, 

 being generally nine or ten, are placed in scales which are 

 very different from the corresponding ones in L. agilis. 

 Instead of being broad, flat and triangular, and much larger 



