90 THE VIVARIUM. 
Perhaps the most popular of the Lacertae, as an inmate 
of the Vivarium, is the Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis, Fig. 39). 
It not only bears confinement exceedingly well, but it 
is also very beautiful in colour and graceful in form. I can 
well remember, though it is many years ago, my great delight 
when I first saw one of these Lizards. Up to that time I had 
been familiar with English Lizards only, and I did not even 
think of asking the price of the animal (for it was in a shop 
for sale), as I somewhat naturally jumped to the conclusion that 
to purchase so beautiful a Reptile would cost more than I could 
afford. The prices, however, of these Lizards are low. Fine 
healthy specimens can generally be bought for sums ranging 
from 9d. to 2s. 
I have noticed that when strangers are looking at a collection 
of Lizards, they are almost certain to point out the ZL. viridis as 
being conspicuous for its beauty. Yet its chief colour, as its 
specific name implies, is green, the commonest colour in nature, 
but a very lovely emerald-green. 
The illustration gives a good general idea of the shape of the 
reptile. The tail is usually about twice the length of the rest of 
the body. The rostral shield touches the nostril. The scales on 
the back are oval-hexagonal and keeled. 
The colour of the young of this Lizard differs from that of the 
adult. The former are either a greenish-brown or green on the 
upper part of the body, sometimes with several horizontal streaks 
of yellow; similar markings may also be found upon the full- 
grown female. The adult is of a brilliant emerald-green colour 
on the back and sides, often spotted with black, the under-parts 
being of a grecnish-yellow. The adult male has generally a blue 
throat, and frequently grows to a length of over 16in. 
There are at least three varieties of the Z. viridis, viz., schrei- 
beri, major, and strigata. According to Mr. Boulenger, the 
variety schreiberi is a much smaller Lizard than the typical form, 
and the “ young ”’ are “‘ olive or brownish above, with large yellow 
or bluish-white, black edged ocelli on the sides of the head and 
body. These ocelli often disappear in the adult, which are green 
or brown above, variously spotted or reticulated with black. 
Lower surfaces yellowish, spotless in the young, often with 
