418 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AND VERMES. 
they lessen objects much. Thus it appears from what has been 
said, that snakes crawl out of the mouth of their own sloughs, and 
quit the tail part last, just as eels are skinned by a cook maid. 
While the scales of the eyes are growing loose, and a new skin is 
forming, the creature, in appearance, must be blind, and feel itself 
in an awkward, uneasy situation. — WHITE. 
I have seen many sloughs or skins of snakes entire, after they 
have cast them off; and once in particular I remember to have 
found one of these sloughs so intricately interwoven amongst some 
brakes, that it was with difficuity removed without being broken : 
this undoubtedly was done by the creature to assist in getting rid of 
its incumbrance. 
I have great reason to suppose that the eft or common lizard 
also casts its skin or slough, but not entire like the snake; for on 
the 30th of March, 1777, I saw one with something ragged hanging 
to it, which appeared to be part of its old skin.— MARKWICK. 
