94 REPTILES OF DORSET. 



able to make any observations of much interest iu respect to their 

 ways and habits. 



The Sand Lizard is not a rare species in many parts of the 

 Dorset Heaths. As a rule those examples found on the high and 

 dry part of the heath are browner than those found in lower 

 damp grassy parts ; an evident adaptation to the surrounding 

 colour, and no doubt protective. 



zooTOCA viviPARA, Dum. et Bib. 



Viviparous Lizard. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 34. 



The smaller size, more slender form, and duller colours of this 

 lizard will easily prevent its being confounded with the preceding 

 (L. agilis). As its name implies, it produces its young alive, not 

 like the preceding, laying eggs which are afterwards hatched, but 

 producing the young just after the shell (or rather membraneous 

 envelope) bursts within the female. Its length is from five to six 

 inches, and although I have never found it in any abundance it is 

 not unfrequent in all the parts I have rambled over iu Dorsetshire. 

 It appears to be distributed generally through England, being 

 also found both in Scotland and Ireland. 



ANGUIS FRAGILIS, LiuU. 



Sloic-ioorm. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 41. 



No description is needed of this common and (so far as 

 Europe is concerned), almost universally distributed reptile. 

 Although destitute of limbs it is in its essential characters nearer 

 to the lizards than to the snakes. Though perfectly harmless it is 

 almost without exception disliked, and often superstitio'usly feared 

 by English country folk. I have rarely come across a Dorset 

 country-person who would not, if it Avere possible, destroy a slow 

 worm. It varies considerably in size — from 10 to 14 inches— and, 

 like the last species (Zootoca vivipara), its young are produced 

 alive. 



ORDER OPIIIDIA. 

 FAM. COLUBRID/E (Snalces and Adders). 



NATRIX TORQUATA, Ray. 



Common or Ringed Snalie. Bell's British Reptiles, p. 49. 



