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GREEN LIZARD. Laeerta viridit. 



that may assail it. If it be irritated with a stick, it will turn sharply upon the offending 

 weapon, and bite it smartly, and if a dog attempts to seize it, the courageous little 

 creature will spring upon its muzzle, and maintain its hold with such pertinacity, that it 

 will suffer itself to be killed rather than relinquish its grasp. In consequence of this 

 combative character, it is greatly respected by the inhabitants of the country where it 

 dwells, and being thought to be poisonous as well as ferocious, is dreaded with a fear quite 

 as keen, though not so reasonable, as would be inspired by a rattlesnake or cobra. 



The home of this species is generally made under the roots of trees if the soil be 

 sufficiently dry and sandy to suit its habits. Otherwise it will excavate a tunnel in the 

 side of a bank or under a hedge, always choosing a southern aspect so as to ensure the 

 warmth which its nature seems to demand. Sometimes it settles upon a soft sandstone 

 rock for its domicile, and hollows out a deep burrow in the softest part of the rock, mostly 

 choosing the loose sandy layers that often occur between two tolerably broad strata of 

 rock. Like the rest of the Lizards it feeds on insects and similar creatures, darting on 

 them with great speed and certainty of aim. 



The colour of this Lizard is very beautiful, rendering it one of the most lovely of its tribe. 

 The ground colour of the body is bright glittering green as if covered with an armour of 

 emeralds, upon which are set along the sides some rather large eye-like spots of rich azure. 

 A kind of network of black is also spread over the body, sometimes running in well- 

 defined lines, and sometimes composed of rows of black dots. The temples of the Eyed 

 Lizard are covered with unequal many-sided scales, rather convex in their form. Its 

 length when full grown is about fifteen or sixteen inches, but it is very variable in size 

 as well as in colour. 



A VEKY beautiful species of this genus is common in Jersey and many parts of 

 Europe, Asia, and Africa. This is the GREEN LIZARD, sometimes called the JERSEY 

 LIZARD. As its name imports, this reptile is of a green colour, and with the exception 

 of the preceding species, is as beautiful a creature as can be seen. 



Like the eyed Lizard, it haunts sunny spots, and may be found in orchards, gardens, 

 shrubberies, copses and similar localities, where it can find plenty of food and obtain 

 concealment when alarmed. Old ruins, too, are greatly haunted by this beautiful Lizard, 

 which flits among the moss-covered stones with singular activity, lying at one moment 

 as if asleep in the sunbeams, or crawling slowly as if unable to proceed at any smarter 

 pace, and then, when the hand is thrust towards it, disappearing with a rapidity that 

 looks like magic. 



Since the great demand for ferneries and vivaria of different descriptions has arisen, 

 this Lizard has been brought over to England in great numbers, as it is a beautiful ornament 



