BRITISH REPTILES 
spotted with black. In the female pale orange or yellow 
predominates, and there may or may not be any spots. 
The male measures about 6 inches. The female is 
somewhat larger. Possessed of amazing fleetness of 
movement, this Lizard is well able to evade its human, 
and very often its natural, pursuers. Even if it is caught, 
careful and secure grasp are necessary, or the creature is 
bound to make good its escape. It casts its skin in the 
same way as others of its race, and also hibernates. 
Sand Lizard.—Lacerta agilis. Although belonging to 
the same Genus as the last-named, the Sand Lizard 
(see Coloured Plate II) is a much rarer animal, being 
restricted, it is believed, to the Counties of Dorset, 
Hants, and Surrey. Thus its distribution is almost 
identical with that of the Smooth Snake already dealt 
with. It appears to occur mostly where the country 
is low-lying, and certainly prefers a light dry soil. That 
it has occurred in at least one Northern County in days 
gone by seems authentically proved, but the opening 
up of the countryside for buildings, parks, and formal 
open spaces, has driven it, like so many other items in 
our fauna, from its one-time haunts. It affects a sandy 
region, as this is suited to it for assisting in hatching the 
eggs (this species not being viviparous), and the Sand 
Lizard is also fond of burrowing out of harm’s way 
when the temperature is uncongenial. It is susceptible 
to cold and sudden change, and is a great lover of warmth 
when same can be secured. It is also fond of burrowing 
in loose sandy soil when hibernation is due. ‘The five to 
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