42 THE GREEN LIZARD. 



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 suits 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 sand- 

 stone 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 creat- 

 ures, darting on them with great speed and certainty of aim. 



The color of this Lizard is very beautiful, rendering it one of the most lovely of its 

 tribe. The ground color of the body is bright glittering green as if covered with an 

 armor 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 



GRE,EN LIZARD. Lacerta vlrldls. 



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 color. 



A VERY 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 color, 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 



