BRITISH REPTILES 
and the body scales smooth. The average length is 
given as 24 inches, the male being the shorter of the two 
sexes. As in the case of the Grass Snake, an obnoxious 
secretion is emitted for the purpose of defence. 
The first authentic record of this rare British species 
dates from 1853, when a specimen was secured in Dorset. 
Although of fierce disposition, the Smooth Snake only 
possesses minute teeth, and is a harmless species. ‘True, 
it possesses two fang-like processes right at the back of 
the jaws, but it has been suggested that these may serve 
the purpose of more securely holding its prey which 
might otherwise be able to make good its escape. 
ORDER LACERTILIA, OR LIZARDS 
Slow Worm.—Anguis fragilis (Fig. 5). This Snake- 
like Lizard—for such it is in spite of its misleading 
English name—belongs to the Family Anguide. It is 
the sole representative of its genus, and has acquired its 
specific name of fragilis because, when handled, it has 
the habit of not only becoming quite rigid, but if doubled 
up or struck, it snaps, or breaks, in two. Indeed when 
in this rigid state its body can be broken into several 
small pieces. Although it does not occur in Ireland, 
it is a familiar object in England, Scotland, and Wales, 
but it often escapes detection because of its fondness for 
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