ANGUIS.] REPTILIA OPHIDIA. 295 



feet in length. In the event of their occurring to any future observer, it 

 may be useful to mention that the L. ocellata, independently of its great 

 size, may be easily distinguished by the circumstance of its having the 

 occipital plate very much developed, and at least quite as large as either 

 the frontal or parietal plates * : it also possesses eight or ten longitudinal 

 rows of abdominal lamellae. 



Another species, which may be briefly alluded to, is the L. muralis ^f 

 Latreille, very common on the Continent, and apparently closely re- 

 sembling our own L. agilis, from which, however, it would seem to 

 differ in having the temples covered with very small granulated scales, 

 resembling those of the back, in the middle of which is one circular 

 plate t: the number of femoral pores is also much greater, varying 

 from eighteen to twenty-five. It may be stated, that Mr. Gray is of 

 opinion that this species is identical with the Common Lizard of this 

 country. Judging, however, from the descriptions of French authors, I 

 cannot but consider this as at present doubtful $. 



ORDER III. OPHIDIA. 



GEN. 4. ANGUIS, Cuv. 

 5. A. fragilis, Linn. (Blind-Worm.) 



A. fragilis, Linn. Syst. Nat. torn. i. p. 392. Turt. Brit. Faun. 

 p. 81. Flem. Brit. An. p. 155. Cuv. Reg. An. torn. n. p. 70. 

 Csecilia, Ray, Syn. Quad. p. 289. Blind-Worm, Penn. Brit. 

 Zool. vol. in. p. 36. pi. 4. no. 15. Common Slow-Worm, Shaw, 

 Gen. Zool. vol. in. p. 579. 



DIMENS. Length from ten to twelve inches ; rarely more. 



DESCRIPT. (Form.) Head small; body larger (more bulky in the 

 female than in the male), cylindrical, and of nearly equal thickness 

 throughout ; tail long, equalling half the entire length, sometimes more, 

 blunt at the extremity : eyes small : gape extending a little beyond the 

 eyes : teeth small, slightly hooked, with the points directed backwards : 

 tongue broad ; the tip deeply notched : upper part of the head covered 



* See a representation of the plates of the head in this species, as well as in L. Stirpium and 

 L. viridis, in the Ann. des Sci. Nat. torn. xyi. pi. 5. f. 1, 3, & 4. 



f This plate Edwards calls disque masseterin. See Ann. des Sci. Nat. torn. xvi. pi. 7- f- 3., 

 where is a representation of the side of the head in this species. 



For a more detailed account of the above species, as well as of some others found on the 

 Continent, which may possibly occur in England, I refer the reader to two valuable memoirs, al- 

 ready alluded to, one by Milne Edwards the other by Duges, in the 16th volume of the Annales des 

 Sciences Naturelles. In the same memoirs will be found an explanation of the nomenclature 

 employed in designating the different external parts of these animals, more particularly of the 

 plates on the upper part of the head, which furnish important characters for distinguishing some 

 nearly allied species. 



I would also recommend to pur own naturalists, in drawing up descriptions of these Reptiles 

 in future, to pay more attention to form, as opposed to colour. This last can scarcely ever be 

 depended upon. It not only varies to a very great extent in the same species, but in the same 

 individual, according to age, season, and the period of time which may have elapsed since the 

 last moult of the cuticle. Edwards has observed that in general the spots are more regular and 

 better defined in younp, than in adult specimens. 



