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This combative tendency is not found in all reptiles, but it 
exists in certain of them. The common Lizard is one of these, 
for the male vigorously attacks any other who trespasses on his 
little domain, his garden on the favourite bank, the paths of 
which are the runs of field-mice, and its flowers sweet-scented 
weeds. 
In pursuing his prey the Lizard shows much activity, some 
perseverance and intelligence. If approached slowly he remains 
still for a time, quietly eyeing the intruder; when, however, he 
decides on a retreat, he moves with great rapidity, as if he 
understood that in doing so he might discover himself, and 
therefore must move as quickly as possible. When angry with 
others of his species the Lizard rattles his tail upon the ground. 
I have on several occasions witnessed the same habit in the 
common snake. 
Modifications due to Surroundings.—On Painswick Hill, 
among loose stones and sand, I found several Lizards, which only 
differed from the common species in the exceedingly muscular 
development of their limbs, and in the unusual thickness of 
their skins. It was evident that these Lizards had become 
affected in this manner by the character of their surroundings. 
The Blindworm or Sloworm (Anguis fragilis, Lin.) is plen- 
tiful on all the warmer slopes of the Cotteswolds. It habitually 
lies in the seclusion of thick hedgerows, or concealed beneath 
moss-covered stones. In length it rarely exceeds fourteen 
inches, but I have, in the neighbourhood of Stroud, found 
several of these reptiles which were more than eighteen inches 
long. The colour is usually a shade of bronze, but when the 
skin becomes loose preparatory to sloughing, it is changed to a 
dull leaden hue. This reptile, although snake-like in form, is 
a Lizard, having rudimentary legs concealed beneath his skin; 
having moveable eyelids, and jaws which resemble those of 
crocodiles. There seems to be no reason for the word “blind” 
to be applied to him, for his eyes, though small, are bright and 
pretty, the black pupils contrasting with the yellow irides. 
The Sloworm is habitually “slow,” but I know of no reptile 
or quadruped which, in proportion to its size, can move so 
