4 i 8 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AND VERMES. 



they lessen objects much. Tnus it appears from what has been 

 said, that snakes crawl out of the mouth of their own sloughs, and 

 quit the tail part last, just as eels are skinned by a cook maid. 

 While the scales of the eyes are growing loose, and a new skin is 

 forming, the creature, in appearance, must be blind, and feel itself 

 in an awkward, uneasy situation. WHITE. 



I have seen many sloughs or skins of snakes entire, after they 

 have cast them off ; and once in particular I remember to have 

 found one of these sloughs so intricately interwoven amongst some 

 brakes, that it was with difficulty removed without being broken : 

 this undoubtedly was done by the creature to assist in getting rid of 

 its incumbrance. 



I have great reason to suppose that the eft or common lizard 

 also casts its skin or slough, but not entire like the snake ; for on 

 the 3oth of March, 1777, I saw one with something ragged hanging 

 to it, which appeared to be part of its old skin. MARKWICK. 



