LIZARDS. Li? 
year 1850, and was killed by an unfortunate mischance a few 
days ago. It had consequently been in my possession twenty- 
eight years; it was several years old when caught, and was in 
sound health up to the time of the misadventure which caused its 
death.” 
Slow-worms will live very well in a fernery such as that illus- 
trated at Fig. 9, p.18, or in some case in which there has been placed 
a rather deep layer of mould or sand, for these animals are fond 
of burrowing; and they may frequently be seen with only their 
head just above the surface of the earth. These Reptiles should 
always be provided with shelter of some kind, such as pieces of 
cork, or oak bark; a box filled with moss, having a side perforated 
with a few round holes of sufficient size for the Reptiles to pass 
through; or a board with similar holes may fence off a corner or 
end of the case in which the animals are confined, and in this 
fenced-off portion some moss should be placed. 
As the Slow-worm is a Lizard, it delights in sunshine. It is 
not kind to keep this Reptile in the same Vivarium with snakes. 
The Lizard-eating Snakes would probably eat it, and the presence 
of Snakes of other kinds would certainly not tend to the little 
animal’s comfort. Besides, a case properly arranged for Slow- 
worms or other Lizards would be unsuitable for Snakes, with only 
a few exceptions. The Blind-worm will eat small slugs, garden- 
worms, and insects. It will not touch dead food. It seizes and 
devours its prey in rather a dog-like fashion, showing consider- 
able intelligence in manipulating it, if such a word may be used 
in this sense. It should never be left without water, as fora 
Reptile, it drinks very frequently. 
The Slow-worm is ovoviviparous, and its young, from five to 
twelve, are often produced in confinement. The latter are reared 
without much difficulty. They are very pretty little things when 
they first come into the world, being of a silvery light cream 
colour on the upper parts with a black spot on the head and a 
thin black line running down the centre of the back ; below they 
are black or nearly so. In length, at first, they are about 3in. 
The young should be placed in a separate case, and provided 
with sand and moss, and water in a very shallow vessel. Their 
food ought to consist of tiny garden-worms, and slugs. I find it 
