LIZARDS. 87 
larger, distinctly keeled, and arranged in rings. The scales 
beneath the body are broader than they are long, if such an 
expression may be used. 
The colouring of this Lizard varies very much with the age of 
the animal. Mr. Boulenger in his ‘‘ Catalogue of Lizards” des- 
cribes the markings and colour in the following words: ‘ Green 
above, with black dots or network, or blackish-olive with yellowish 
network ; sides with large blue spots—ocelli; lower surfaces uni- 
formly greenish-yellow. Young olive above, covered all over 
with white or bluish black-edged ocelli, black sometimes forming 
irregular cross-bands on the back.” The ocelli have, of course, 
given the animal its specific name. The head of the male is 
larger than that of the female. 
I have often thought that the markings of some of these 
Lizards (L. ocellata) might suggest a beautiful pattern for a 
carpet. The scales and the colouring give the back of the animal 
a very carpet-like appearance. There are one or two varieties of 
the Eyed Lizard which bear a very close resemblance to its near 
relative the Green Lizard (L. viridis), and one variety is some- 
times called the “‘ Great Green Lizard. 
L. ocellata is a very suitable Reptile to keep in confinement. It 
is hardy, cheap (ranging in price, according to the season and the 
supply, from 2s. to 8s.), easily tamed, and, what is very greatly 
in its favour, an eater of dead food. Most Lizards—indeed most 
Reptiles—will only take living and moving prey. 
Though the Eyed Lizard is a very large animal in comparison 
with the rest of its genus, it does not take advantage of its size, 
to either bully or to eat its smaller relatives and comrades. 
However, no doubt, an ill-tempered specimen, and also one that 
is a cannibal, may occasionally be met with. I have kept a very 
small Lizard (L. agilis) for considerably more than a year in the 
same Vivarium with a very large Eyed Lizard, and I have often 
seen it (Z. agilis) and other small Lizards basking in the sun on 
the back of their large relative. 
LI. ocellata will eat mice, live or dead, large worms, cock- 
roaches, mealworms, raw meat, ripe grapes and strawberries, and 
the like. It is a native of Spain, Portugal, Southern France, 
and the north-western parts of Italy. 
