504 SATJRIANS. 



WORM or BLIND WORM, A.fragilis, (Lat. brittle.) When irri- 

 tated or alarmed, the Slow Worm, by a forcible contraction of 

 all the muscles of the body, becomes perfectly stiff, and then 

 breaks in two, with the slightest blow, or upon an attempt to bend 

 it. Hence, Linnaeus applied to it the iermfragihs. This beau- 

 tiful and harmless reptile, is found in various parts of Europe, 

 appearing early in the spring, and going into winter quarters in 

 October. It feeds on insects, earth-worms and slugs; being 

 particularly partial to the latter. The Slow Worm is said to 

 shed its skin like the true snakes. The female produces her 

 young alive, in July or August, or at least lays from ten to six- 

 teen eggs, from which the young soon escape; development 

 having considerably advanced previous to the deposit. The 

 general color is yellowish brown or yellowish gray, with lines 

 and spots of black ; the under parts are white, with whitish retic- 

 ulations or net-work. 



III. Tropidophorus, (Gr. tropis, carina or keel ; phoreo, to 

 carry.) In this genus there are four strong limbs, each with 

 five compressed toes. The body is fusiform or spindle-shaped. 

 The scales upon the body are thick and striated, but rounded on 

 the muzzle; the tail has four spinose keels above, but is smooth 

 on the sides. The species T. Cocincinensis, is a native'of Cochin 

 China. It is, on the upper parts of the body, of a color inclining 

 to olive, or a yellow brown. The neck is banded, the color 

 being brown ; with marks of a much deeper shade, representing 

 a succession of figures like the letter X; spots of deep brown 

 also appear on the tail ; and a row of whitish points along the 

 lower parts of the sides. 



IV. Genus Seps, (Gr. a small serpent.) exhibits a form some- 

 what snake-like, it being much elongated, but still provided with 

 four limbs. These, however, are very small and weak, and 

 have toes of unequal length. This is represented by a single 

 species, <S. chalcides. This curious reptile is a native of South- 

 ern Europe, and, except in the possession of limbs, resembles the 

 Slow Worm. Like that reptile, it brings forth its young alive, 

 and feeds on insects, earth worms and slugs. It is said to be 

 perfectly harmless, though some suppose it to be a poisonous 

 animal. It spends the winter in its ground-burrow, but emerges 

 again in the spring, and lives during summer in sunny spots 

 covered with herbage and underwood. 



V. Tetradactylus, (Gr. four toed.) This genus has four toes 

 on each foot. 



VI. ChampsodactyluS) (Gr. with crocodile-toes.) has five toes in 

 front, and four behind. 



