THE GREEN LIZARD. 45 



Remarks by Dr. Townson. 



Sometimes it begins with the head part first; 

 and the tail being filled with air and water, be- 

 comes like a blown bladder, and proves so un- 

 manageable, that it is very diverting to see the 

 pains it costs to discharge these, and to reduce 

 it to a condition to be got down the throat." 



We are informed by Dr. Townson, who had 

 several of these lizards in a jar for the purpose 

 of trying experiments on their respiration, that 

 he fed them with worms, and that if they were 

 in the greatest stilness, and a worm was dropped 

 ever so gently among them, they all immediately 

 began to fight, each attacking his neighbour, 

 and seizing it by the head, foot, or tail. This 

 he remarked to be " not a contention immedi- 

 ately for the worm, for that often lay for a short 

 time unnoticed, but it seemed to originate in a 

 great acuteness of smell, (which in a moment 

 informed them of the presence of their food,) 

 and in a singular dulness of their discriminating 

 powers." 



THE GREEN LIZARD. 



THE common green lizard is a native of both 

 Europe and India. This species is also extremely 

 nimble ; it basks on the sides of dry banks, or 

 under old trees in hot weather, but, on being 

 observed, immediately retreats to its hole. The 

 food of this, as well as of all other British lizards, 



