118 THE VIVARIUM. 
a good plan to place a quantity of slugs’ eggs with some mould and 
green food in a large covered bottle, and then a supply of small 
slugs will always be at hand. Slugs’ eggs may be roughly 
compared to boiled sago. Small slugs can also be obtained by 
placing pieces of board about the garden, and when wanted the 
molluscs will be found clinging to the underside. Greased 
cabbage leaves have also a great attraction for slugs. 
The Slow-worm seems to be able to bear more cold than most of 
our British Reptiles. It is sometimes tempted, when at liberty, to 
leave its winter quarters on any unusually fine warm day in winter 
or early spring. In autumn it buries itself deeply in soft ground, 
or under some heap of leaves and rubbish, or in some suitable 
hole in a bank. While in confinement it may be allowed to 
hibernate, if in good condition, according to directions already 
given; or it may be kept im an unheated case in some room in 
which there is a fire daily, or in a greenhouse. Under these 
latter circumstances, however, it must be provided with plenty © 
of mould in which to bury itself when it desires so to do. The 
Slow-worm casts its skin periodically, sometimes leaving it entire, 
but more frequently in two or more pieces. 
The general appearance of this animal is so well known that 
no detailed description is necessary. The scales are very smooth 
and small. The eyes are also small, very bright, and provided 
with eyelids; the fact of its having eyelids has no doubt given 
this Lizard the name of Blind-worm. For when it is discovered 
in a state of torpor, the eyelids will be closed, and to the 
uninformed in these matters the creature would, under such 
circumstances, appear blind; especially would this be the case 
if found in the company of hybernating snakes, with their un- 
closable eyes. The ears of the Slow-worm, as a rule, are not 
exposed ; the tongue is broad, notched, and fairly extensile. The 
male has a tail longer in proportion to its body than the female. 
Sometimes this animal reaches a length of 18in., but this is 
unusual. I think I shall not be far wrong if I say that the 
average length is about 13in. 
The general colour of 4. fragilis on the upper surface is a 
brownish-grey having a silvery sheen, and longitudinal lines of 
black spots, or zigzag unbroken black lines or fairly stftaight black 
