BRITISH REPTILES 



and the body scales smooth. The average length is 

 given as 24 inches, the male being the shorter of the two 

 sexes. As in the case of the Grass Snake, an obnoxious 

 secretion is emitted for the purpose of defence. 

 The first authentic record of this rare British species 

 dates from 1853, when a specimen was secured in Dorset. 

 Although of fierce disposition, the Smooth Snake only 

 possesses minute teeth, and is a harmless species. True, 

 it possesses two fang-like processes right at the back of 

 the jaws, but it has been suggested that these may serve 

 the purpose of more securely holding its prey which 

 might otherwise be able to make good its escape. 



ORDER LACERTILIA, OR LIZARDS 



Slow Worm. — Anguis fragilis (Fig. 5). This Snake- 

 like Lizard — for such it is in spite of its misleading 

 English name — belongs to the Family Anguidce. It is 

 the sole representative of its genus, and has acquired its 

 specific name of fragilis because, when handled, it has 

 the habit of not only becoming quite rigid, but if doubled 

 up or struck, it snaps, or breaks, in two. Indeed when 

 in this rigid state its body can be broken into several 

 small pieces. Although it does not occur in Ireland, 

 it is a familiar object in England, Scotland, and Wales, 



but it often escapes detection because of its fondness for 

 16 



