BRITISH REPTILES 
The eggs are carried by the female until they are hatched, 
and the young has little or no difficulty in breaking the 
transparent egg-membrane, and making good its exit. 
Early in Autumn the thread-like young ones make their 
appearance, and they number from six to twelve, some- 
times less. It takes several years for them to reach the 
adult state. ‘The favourite food of this gardener’s friend 
is slugs, and these are sought for when it is getting dusk. 
One instance is recorded of a male which ate no less than 
seventeen slugs at a “ sitting.” Earth-worms are also 
sought after, but if slugs are obtainable these are pre- 
ferred. In view of this, every tiller of the soil should 
encourage, rather than destroy, this beneficent creature. 
It appears to be the common grey slug of our gardens 
which is most relished, and it is interesting to note that, 
so unconcerned is the former, it does not realise that the 
Slow Worm is intending to make a meal of it, and no 
effort is put forth to get out of harm’s way. The young 
are at first silvery-white on the upper parts, and inky 
black beneath. The line of demarcation along the 
centre of the back is very conspicuous. Later on, the 
underneath becomes mottled-grey, with brownish, 
polished copper, or grey above. The skin is covered 
with smooth rounded scales, and this is a characteristic 
feature, as also the moveable eyelids. The average 
length of a full-grown specimen, with the whole of the 
tail intact, is from 12 to 15 inches.* Although the 
* Whilst this book was passing through the press, a specimen was 
brought to me which measures 153 inches, and is now in Letchworth 
Museum. 
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