38 



THE BLINDWORM. 



(Anguis fragilis.) 



IN external form, the Slow-worm so much re- 

 sembles a little snake that those of our readers 

 who have not delved deeply in the mines of 

 Reptilian knowledge will, at first, evince sur- 

 prise at finding it amongst the Lizards, in com- 

 pany with whom it is placed by scientific men. 

 But as much as first appearances are opposed to 

 this union, a closer examination will prove that 

 it is ' the right thing in the right place/ The 

 most convincing proof of this is to be found in 

 the fact that, although not possessed of external 

 legs, the rudiments of these organs are concealed 

 beneath the skin. The eyes, again, are furnished 

 with moveable eyelids a phenomenon not oc- 



