44 ANGUID.E. 



ably fine one, measuring fifteen inches in length. It cast its 

 slough whilst in my keeping. The skin came off in separate 

 pieces, the largest of which was two inches in length ; split- 

 ting first on the belly, and the peeling from the head being- 

 completed the last." 



These are interesting particulars ; but it is certain that 

 when in a state of liberty they do not exclusively live upon 

 sings, as I have found the remains of insects in the sto- 

 mach ; and they will also feed readily on earth-worms, even 

 of six or seven inches long, according to the testimony of 

 M. de Sept-Fontaines, as quoted by Lacepede. 



The last-mentioned Erpetologist, who, however, like his 

 colleague Buffon, was too credulous of all the stories told 

 him, declares that this reptile would swallow mice, small rats, 

 frogs, and toads. This is the statement of a person who has 

 rather received for granted the assertions of the ignorant, 

 than taken the trouble to observe for himself. The fact is, 

 that the wholly undilateable character of the mouth necessarily 

 restricts it to the deglutition of such prey as can be received 

 within its narrow and circumscribed gape. 



One very interesting point in its habits, is its being ovo- 

 viviparous. Like the last-described species, the Zootoca 

 vivipara, the young of this animal are hatched before they 

 come into the world ; and it is probable that in this case, 

 as in that of the species just named, as well as in the Viper 

 and the Rattlesnake, the rupture of the membrane of the egg 

 takes place during the parturition. The female is said to go 

 with young about six weeks or two months : there can be 

 no doubt, however, that the duration of this period must 

 depend upon the temperature to which the animal is exposed. 

 They are produced in June or July. The number of young 

 ones produced at one birth varies from seven to twelve or 

 thirteen. When brought forth, they are from eighteen to 

 twenty-two lines in length. The young become very active 



