THE BLINDWOKM. 39 



curring amongst the Snakes, but found in the 

 Lizards. Then, again, the jaws of serpents are 

 so constructed as to expand sufficiently to admit 

 as large a body as will pass down into the 

 stomach, whilst in the Blindworm this is not 

 the case. The tongue, also, is notched at the 

 point, but not cleft or forked, as in the Ophi- 

 dians. Finally, the back, belly, sides, and tail 

 are all covered with small rounded scales, which, 

 as we shall see shortly, is by no means the case 

 with serpents. For these reasons, and some 

 others too technical to deserve a place here, 

 the Blindworm, or Slow-worm, is classed with 

 Lizards, and is, in fact, a Lizard without visible 

 legs. 



This anomalous reptile is found all over Europe, 

 except the most northern countries, and, again, 

 we must except Ireland ; but in England and 

 Scotland it is very common. Being less sus- 

 ceptible of cold, it is found further north, and 

 comes out from its hybernaculum earlier than 

 most other reptiles. Like the snakes, it casts 

 its slough, which it leaves behind, and does not 

 attempt to devour. This is generally turned 

 1 inside out/ as in the snake and viper ; but the 

 tail portion is sometimes excepted : out of this 

 the tail is sometimes drawn without the skin 

 being reversed. When in confinement the slough 

 usually comes off in fragments. 



