BRITISH REPTILES 



spotted with black. In the female pale orange or yellow 



predominates, and there may or may not be any spots. 



The male measures about 6 inches. The female is 



somewhat larger. Possessed of amazing fleetness of 



movement, this Lizard is well able to evade its human, 



and very often its natural, pursuers. Even if it is caught, 



careful and secure grasp are necessary, or the creature is 



bound to make good its escape. It casts its skin in the 



same wav as others of its race, and also hibernates. 



Sand Lizard. — Lacerta agilis. Although belonging to 



the same Genus as the last-named, the Sand Lizard 



(see Coloured Plate II) is a much rarer animal, being 



restricted, it is believed, to the Counties of Dorset, 



Hants, and Surrey. Thus its distribution is almost 



identical with that of the Smooth Snake already dealt 



with. It appears to occur mostly where the country 



is low-lying, and certainly prefers a light dry soil. That 



it has occurred in at least one Northern County in days 



gone by seems authentically proved, but the opening 



up of the countryside for buildings, parks, and formal 



open spaces, has driven it, like so many other items in 



our fauna, from its one-time haunts. It affects a sandy 



region, as this is suited to it for assisting in hatching the 



eggs (this species not being viviparous), and the Sand 



Lizard is also fond of burrowing out of harm's way 



when the temperature is uncongenial. It is susceptible 



to cold and sudden change, and is a great lover of warmth 



when same can be secured. It is also fond of burrowing 



in loose sandy soil when hibernation is due. The five to 

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