British Reptiles and Amphibians 



heat the Viviparous Lizard may be observed basking 

 in the sun's rays in such chosen localities, and only 

 moving now and again to snap some unwary blue- 

 bottle, or other fly, that may alight within easy distance. 

 Although all sorts and conditions of insects ate devoured 

 greedily in their season by this Lizard, Nature appears 

 to have been very lavish in arranging its larder. 

 Beetles, Flies of every kind, Caterpillars, Moths, Butter- 

 flies, etc., all go to form enticing food for this creature. 

 It is agile in all its movements, and a keen eye is requisite 

 to detect it when it is hunting for food. It also calls 

 for a very active hand to catch the darting reptile and 

 keep the little body uninjured within its grasp. He 

 who would capture this reptile must be careful to grasp 

 it by the forepart of the body ; if he seizes it by the 

 tail, he will probably be chagrined in finding a portion 

 of that appendage in his hand while the unabashed 

 lizard scutters away to a safe hiding-place. Like the 

 Slow-worm and other Lizards, this species readily parts 

 with its tail, the loss of which is repaired in time. 



Reproduction takes place after the manner of the 

 Adder. The young issue from the eggs immediately 

 on their emergence from the parent's body. The thin 

 membrane that encases the egg bursts, and the young 

 are thus really born alive. The young are fully 

 developed, and, having the full use of their limbs at 

 birth, they can follow their parents. Instinctively these 

 youngsters catch insects on their own account as soon 

 as they are born. 



20 



