LIZARDS 



i59 



fresh, but soon harden and whiten in the air. Generally she chooses a spot 

 where moisture as well as the sun's warmth can reach the eggs, which are 

 always covered, although never incubated. In summer these lizards seek shelter 

 from the sun, and in many cases are seldom seen again until towards the autumn. 

 Nevertheless, warmth and sunshine are necessary to their well-being, and when the 

 morning sun has absorbed the dew, they come forth as if to gather its rays : as the 

 sun moves they follow the sweep of its rays so as to keep out of the shade, and only 

 when the heat becomes too great do they change their places. After basking in 

 the sun, they go in search of food. On land, they use legs, tail, and abdominal 

 muscles ; when swimming, the body moves like that of a snake, the limbs acting like 





~:-'rt 





VIVIFAROUS LIZARD. 



oars, the tail like a rudder. 

 The legs are used for burrowing 

 when no natural holes are avail- 

 able, and also by the females in 

 hiding their eggs. 



Of the senses of the lizard, ** 



sight comes first, although hearing is also good. If one of these reptiles desire 

 to examine its immediate surroundings, the sense of touch is resorted to by means 

 of the tongue. Taste is more developed than smell. Lizards apparently know 

 how to benefit by experience, and accommodate themselves to circumstances ; and 

 their sense of locality seems to be well developed. Their proper food consists of 

 insects and worms. They will follow the movements of a caterpillar for some 

 time before pouncing upon it, but steal up to grasshoppers, which they capture 

 with a sudden jump. In spring and summer they are always ready for food, and 

 they also require a daily drink and bath. 



Viviparous The species most frequently found in the forests, as well as else- 



Lizards, where, is the viviparous lizard (Lacerta vivipara), which has a 

 slender, delicately built body, a fine somewhat flattened head, and a tail of about 

 the length of the body, and rather thick up to the middle, whence it tapers to the 



