CHAPTER IV 

 REPTILES 



HARMLESS 



THE COMMON LIZARD (Lacerta or Zootoca vivipara), Fig. 52, belongs 

 to the family Lacertidae of True Lizards, in which the body is 

 covered with scales, which are largest on the abdomen and the head. 

 The head is not provided with a throat-pouch. The legs are four 

 in number, the toes number five, and are unequal in length. The 

 tail is cylindrical, elongated, and often longer than the body. The 

 tongue is cleft or bifid and protrusible. 



FIG. 52. THE COMMON OR SCALY LIZARD. 



The Common Lizard is about 6 in. in length, terrestrial in 

 habits and is found in comparatively dry places. It is viviparous, 

 the eggs being retained within the parent's body until such time 

 as the young are nearly or actually hatched. It is very active, 



B.N. * Q 



