THE NIMBLE LIZARD. 6l 



other oviparous quadrupeds, it is capable of exist- 

 ing a long time without food. Some of them have 

 been kept in bottles, without any nourishment, for 

 upwards of six months. 



In the southern- countries of Europe, the Nimble 

 Lizard revives, very early in the spring, from the 

 torpid state in which it had passed the cold wea- 

 ther of the winter ; and, recovering its activity, 

 begins its sportive evolutions, which increase in 

 agility in proportion to the heat of the atmosphere. 

 In the beginning of May, the female deposits her 

 eggs, which are nearly spherial, and about five 

 lines in diameter, in some warm situation ; as, for 

 instance, at the foot of a wall fronting the south. 

 Here they are hatched by the heat of the sun. 



Previously to laying the eggs, both male and fe- 

 tnale change their skins, which they again do about 

 the beginning of winter. — They pass that season in 

 a state of torpor, more or less complete, according 

 to the rigour of the season, either in holes of trees. 

 or walls, or subterraneous places. They quit these 

 retreats on the first appearance of spring *. 



This little animal seems occasionally to lay aside 

 the gentleness and innocence of disposition which 

 is attributed to it ; stil!, however, no further than 

 for the purpose of obtaining food. Mr. Edwards 

 once surprised one of them in the act of fighting 

 with a small bird, as she sate on her nest in a vine 

 against the wall, with newly-hatched young. He 



* La Cepcde, i. 370. 



