BRITISH REPTILES 
representative we have in the Emerald Isle, and with 
this one exception, therefore, Saint Patrick was eminently 
successful in his decree banishing all such animals 
from that unfortunate island. It is a familiar inhabitant 
of various parts of the other three provinces which 
constitute Great Britain, but as with other reptiles already 
dealt with, it is strangely absent from places which 
seem quite suited for it. It is asserted that it is fond of 
high lands and mountainous districts, and whilst this is 
certainly true, it is, nevertheless, absent from many of 
them, and yet occurs in much more low-lying areas, as 
many authentic observers can testify. ‘That reptiles 
can be, and are overlooked, is to be expected, and 
especially so where there is an abundance of cover. I 
have in mind a fine stretch of ancient common opposite 
my own country study at Letchworth Garden City, 
where I have many times seen and caught Lizards, and 
it may here be mentioned that I once took one, when 
there were several inches of snow on the ground, as early 
in the year (for a Lizard to be found abroad) as March 
roth. It lived for some weeks in captivity, and may now 
be seen preserved in spirits at Letchworth Museum. 
Most visitors to the common in question would doubtless 
be surprised, if not alarmed, to see a Lizard there, but it 
is the old story of eyes and no-eyes all through. The 
haunts of this Lizard are commons, downs, heaths, 
moors, sandhills adjoining the coast, and walls. ‘They 
seem to prefer open country, but the most I ever saw 
were sunning themselves on a roadside wall near Morthoe, 
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