COMMON LIZARD. 139 



points, as in the snakes. The usual attitude of the Common 

 Lizard is with the extended tail and greater part of the body 

 resting on the ground, or other support, whilst the head and 

 fore parts are raised on the arms, and the muzzle turned to one 

 side in an attitude that suggests listening. It has been stated 

 that Lizards are susceptible to musical sounds, and that 

 they may be attracted from their hiding-places by judicious 

 whistling. 



On the underside of the thighs will be found a row of small, 

 roundish scales, all perforated, and numbering from seven to 

 thirteen. . The perforations are rilled with a yellowish or brown 

 substance, which appears as a little cone above the opening. 

 Its purpose has not been settled satisfactorily, but Cope suggests 

 that it may be for giving the Lizard a better hold on slippery 

 surfaces, seeing that the weight of the body rests chiefly upon 

 the thighs. Another point that should be mentioned is the 

 brittleness of the tail. In catching or attempting to catch a 

 Lizard, he should be grasped by the shoulders. If the tail be 

 held instead, it will probably come away in the hand, snapping 

 at the base as readily as though it were glass or sealing wax. A 

 sort of tail will grow from the stump if the Lizard lives long 

 enough, but it is always a poor, ungraceful affair. 



This species is the Furze Evvet of the New Forest, and the 

 Harriman of Shropshire. In Cheshire it is the Swift. In 

 suitable situations sandhills, fallows, heaths, and moors it 

 may be found all over Great Britain, including the Isle of Man, 

 and in most localities it is common. It is the one true reptile 

 that Ireland possesses, and it appears to occur in all parts of 

 the island, though not in any abundance. It appears (like the 

 Natterjack) to have escaped the attentions of St. Patrick when 

 " He gave the snakes and toads a twist and banished them for 

 ever." Its wider distribution includes Northern and Central 

 Europe and Siberia, where it shows a preference for mountainous 

 and high-lying country. 



