GREEN LIZARD. 233 



throat is a kind of collar, formed by a row of scales 

 of much larger size than the rest: the abdomen is 

 covered, down its whole length, with six rows of 

 broad transverse scales or plates, and the under 

 surface of the limbs is also covered with similar 

 scales : along the insides of the thighs * runs a 

 row of papilla? or tubercles, commonly about thir- 

 teen in number, which are also found in many 

 other lizards belonging to different sections of the 

 genus, and which probably assist the animal in 

 climbing, or clinging to the stems and branches of 

 vegetables, &c. : the tongue is moderately long, 

 broad at the base, bifid towards the tip, and co- 

 vered on its broad part with numerous rows of 

 minute sharp papillse pointing backwards, and 

 thus the better enabling the animal to retain and 

 swallow its prey, which consists chiefly of insects, 

 small worms, &c. The Green Lizard is found in 

 various situations, in gardens, about warm walls, 

 buildings, &c. and is an extremely active animal, 

 pursuing with great celerity its insect prey, and 

 escaping with great readiness from pursuit when 

 disturbed. If taken, however, it is soon observed 

 to become familiar, and may even be tamed to a 

 certain degree ; for which reason it is considered 

 as a favourite animal in many of the Avarmer parts 

 of Europe. It appears to run into numerous varie- 

 ties both as to size and colour, but in all these 

 states the particular characteristics of the species 

 are easily ascertained. 



* This is always to be understood as relating to the bind thighs 

 only. 



