which is restricted to the warmer regions of the world, to the 

 equator and tropics. Few are found further north than 40 

 N.L. ; at 60 N.L. they practically disappear. The most widely 

 distributed of them is Lacerta vivipara, which ranges nearly 

 throughout the whole of Europe. The Blind-worm, Anguis 

 fragilis, has a range nearly as wide. 



Of the European Lizards, Lacerta vivipara and Z. agilis only 

 survive further north than Northern Germany. Everyone who 

 has visited the South of Europe is familiar with the Wall-lizard, 

 Z. muratis, a most graceful little animal. On fine days it is 

 seen climbing walls and the vases of the garden terraces, and 

 round the stems of trees with the greatest agility. The grace of 

 its movements is at all times a source of admiration. It can 

 survive the climate of Belgium and Holland. The Chameleon 

 will be the last of the Lizards I shall mention ; from its 

 arboreal habits it is called Dendrosaura. The tail is long and 

 prehensile, which it makes use of to coil round the tree upon 

 which it creeps and crawls. It has the power of changing its 

 colour. Before the conquest of Algiers it was not known in the 

 South of France ; now it is very common, through importation. 

 On the evidence of M. Leidy, Chameleon remains have been found 

 in the Eocene Beds of Wyoming, North America. 



Anguinidae. Serpentine in form, limbs rudimentary, concealed 

 beneath the skin. Of this Order none is so well known as the 

 Slow-worm, Anguis fragilis, it has a very wide distribution, it is 

 very abundant in England and is found almost everywhere in 

 the Old Continent. It has no external appearance of limbs, 

 the pelvic and scapular arches are present in a rudimentary 

 condition ; it is harmless and hibernates in the winter. It 

 derives its namefragilts, because, when alarmed, it can stiffen its 

 muscles so effectually that the tail readily breaks off, as if it was 

 brittle. 



Ophidia This Order includes Serpents and Snakes, distin- 

 guished by their cylindrical bodies, covered with horny scales ; 

 dorsal-vertebrae, concave in front (precocious) ; no sternum, no 

 pectoral or pelvic arches ; limbless. The most characteristic 



