WILD CREATURES OF GARDEN AND HEDGEROW 



once about its affairs. The newly born slow- 

 worm is about two and a half inches long, but, 

 like the little wall lizards, is quite able to take 

 care of and look after itself, and the old reptile 

 most probably never sees its babies again. 



At no age should a slowworm be confused 

 with a true snake despite its snake-like appear- 

 ance, for, as I have already mentioned, it is 

 usually quite plain without any markings, 

 whereas the real snakes are handsomely 

 patterned. The only exception is that some- 

 times an old male slowworm may have a few 

 spots along its sides, but even these should not 

 lead to any mistake. Another easily remem- 

 bered difference is that true snakes have no 

 eyelids ; their eyes are always open and 

 staring, but lizards, and therefore the slow- 

 worm, have proper eyelids, so that they can 

 shut their eyes, and in dead specimens this 

 is particularly noticeable. Possibly it is the 

 fact that this lizard can close its eyes which 

 has given rise to the extremely unsuitable name 

 of * blindworm.' 



As the adder or viper is usually only found 



on moors and on rough wild ground, we will 



not waste time and space discussing it here, 



but will go on to the common or grass snake, 



250 



