COMMON LIZARD 
in North Devon. For a mile or more specimens of this 
active little species were in almost constant view, in 
several instances little companies of half a dozen or so 
being happily gathered together. It was mid-August, 
and the reptiles were represented in various sizes. ‘The 
specific name of Vivipara is somewhat misleading as, 
although this species does bring forth living young, it 
also deposits unhatched eggs. In the latter case the egg- 
membrane is burst soon after extrusion, but this is not 
invariably so, as I have known a group of eggs (they 
number from 6 to 12) to be some time before the young 
emerged, and instances have also come under my observa- 
tion where the eggs have not hatched, being apparently 
infertile. The small black-coloured young scamper 
about directly they are born, and after a few days learn 
to obtain their own living. Insects of various kinds go 
to make up the food, and these are captured with much 
dexterity and cunning. As with other members of the 
Order Reptilia, the colour-variation in Lacerta vivipara 
is a distinctive feature, and it may here be stated that the 
factors governing this colour-variation may, according to 
Professor Gerald Leighton, be given thus : Age, Climate, 
Food, Heredity, Light, Locality, Moisture, Sex, or 
Temperature. Gadow mentions that the general colour 
of our present species is brown or reddish above, spotted 
with darker and lighter colour. In many individuals 
there is a blackish vertebral streak, and a dark lateral 
band with yellow edging. Orange to red is the general 
colour of the male on the under parts, prominently 
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