BRITISH REPTILES 



representative we have in the Emerald Isle, and with 



this one exception, therefore. Saint Patrick was eminently 



successful in his decree banishing all such animals 



from that unfortunate island. It is a familiar inhabitant 



of various parts of the other three provinces which 



constitute Great Britain, but as with other reptiles already 



dealt with, it is strangely absent from places which 



seem quite suited for it. It is asserted that it is fond of 



high lands and mountainous districts, and whilst this is 



certainly true, it is, nevertheless, absent from many of 



them, and yet occurs in much more low-lying areas, as 



many authentic observers can testify. That reptiles 



can be, and are overlooked, is to be expected, and 



especially so where there is an abundance of cover. I 



have in mind a fine stretch of ancient common opposite 



my own country study at Letchworth Garden City, 



where I have many times seen and caught Lizards, and 



it may here be mentioned that I once took one, when 



there were several inches of snow on the ground, as early 



in the year (for a Lizard to be found abroad) as March 



loth. It lived for some weeks in captivity, and may now 



be seen preserved in spirits at Letchworth Museum. 



Most visitors to the common in question would doubtless 



be surprised, if not alarmed, to see a Lizard there, but it 



is the old story of eyes and no-eyes all through. The 



haunts of this Lizard are commons, downs, heaths, 



moors, sandhills adjoining the coast, and walls. They 



seem to prefer open country, but the most I ever saw 



were sunning themselves on a roadside wall near Morthoe, 

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