126 THE REPTILE VIVARIUM. 



it requires a much larger amount of food than the 

 other lizards, to keep it in good condition, which 

 makes its presence sometimes not desirable when 

 space is limited. As to food, all the species will eat 

 mealworms readily when flies are scarce, these being 

 by far their most favourite food. The mealworms 

 may be put in a jar with flour, and a few pieces of 

 brown paper, where, if tied up tightly and left for 

 some time, they will increase rapidly, so that a stock 

 may always be kept up. 



The different species of snakes must be kept in 

 separate cases and fed with frogs, of which one or 

 two will be consumed in a week by a large speci- 

 men of, the ringed or common snake ; this kind 

 may also be tamed readily indeed, I have now a 

 very fine one which will, when allowed, creep into 

 my pockets, where it will coil itself up, seeming 

 to enjoy itself; it also evinces a great partiality 

 for milk, a habit, I understand, frequently observed 

 in this species. 



