88 THE VIVARIUM. 
These Lizards are sometimes wild and shy when they are first 
caught or purchased, and consequently refuse to eat for so long a 
time that they become very weak and thin. However, to prevent 
their losing flesh under these circumstances, they must be fed 
artificially, which may be done in the following way: The animal 
should be gently and carefully held in the left hand, so that its 
forelegs are pressed backwards against its sides. In such a 
position as this, it can neither bite nor struggle very much; but 
in its endeavours to bite, it will open its mouth widely and so 
give an opportunity for inserting, with the right hand and the 
help of a piece of smooth wood, some raw meat down its very 
capacious throat. This artificial feeding should be repeated about 
every third day until the Reptile begins to eat of its own accord. 
Regular and gentle handling goes a long way towards the be- 
getting of tameness. Of course, care must be taken not to hold 
the Lizard at all by the tail, or it will probably break. 
Eyed Lizards having broken tails can often be bought exceed- 
ingly cheaply ; and it is quite worth one’s while to take advantage 
of such an opportunity, for the gradual reproduction of the lost 
member is very interesting to observe. 
If kept during the winter in a heated case like that represented 
by Fig. 6, p. 14, Z. ocellata will forego its natural hibernation ; but 
if it is wished that the animal should hibernate, it may, if quite 
healthy and in good condition, be packed, surrounded by moss, 
in a wooden box, and placed until the following spring in some 
cool place which cannot be reached by frost. The day chosen for 
this “‘ stowing away ” should be when the weather is dull and 
vather cold, and then the Reptile will be in a more or less torpid 
condition. 
Those Vivaria’ in which this Lizard and its near relatives are 
confined ought to be provided with plenty of very small and dry 
gravel, pieces of cork or oak-bark, under which they may hide, 
and a suitable tree upon which they can climb and bask in the 
sun. As Lizards do not bathe, the vessel for water need only be 
small. All Lizards must have as much sunshine as possible, 
without which they are mostly dull and listless. 
I believe that the Zacerte are perfectly contented in captivity 
when properly cared for. Though these animals are so very fleet 
