40 OUK REPTILES. 



Like the viper and the scaly Lizard, the Blind- 

 worm is ovo-viviparous i. e., its young are 

 brought forth alive, from 7 or 8 to 10 or 12 at a 

 birth. 



There is one peculiarity in this reptile, which 

 is met with in no other British species ; whence 

 its specific name of fragilis is derived. When 

 attacked, alarmed, or taken hold of, it becomes 

 rigid ; and in this condition any effort to bend 

 it results in breaking off a portion of the tail ; 

 a slight blow will sever it in the same manner ; 

 and when taken hold of by the tail it will some- 

 times make its escape, leaving that extremity 

 in the hand. Within certain limits it has also 

 the power of replacing the broken part ; for a 

 short conical tip at length occupies the place of 

 the severed tail. It is very inoffensive, quiet, 

 timid, and retiring in its habits ; and is, in fact, 

 a model of reptile virtues, without possessing 

 any taint of reptile vices. Like some friends, 

 it ' improves upon a closer acquaintance/ 



Mr. George Daniel has given us some of the 

 most complete observations on the habits of this 

 reptile : " A Blindworm that I kept alive for 

 nine weeks would, when touched, turn and bite, 

 although not very sharply ; its bite was not 

 sufficient to draw blood, but it always retained 

 its hold until released. It drank sparingly of 

 milk, raising the head when drinking. It fed 



