THE WARTY LIZARD. 71 



A day or two before the change, the animal al- 

 ways appeared more sluggish than usual, taking no 

 notice of the worms that were given to it, which at 

 other times it greedily devoured. The skin in some 

 parts of the body appeared loose, and its colour not 

 so lively as before. It began the operation of cast- 

 ing the skin, by loosening that part about the jaws; 

 it then pushed it backward gently and gradually, 

 both above and below the head, till it was able to 

 slip out first one hg and then the other. With these 

 legs it proceeded to thrust the skin as far backwards 

 as they could reach. This done, it was under the 

 necessity of rubbing its body against the gravel, till 

 it was more than half freed from the skin, which ap- 

 peared doubled back, covering the hinder part of the 

 body and the tail. The animal now bent back its 

 head, taking the skin in its mouth, and setting its 

 feet upon it, for firmer hold, by degrees drew it en- 

 tirely off, the hind- legs being dragged out in the 

 same manner that the fore ones were before. 



On examining the skin it was, in every instance, 

 found to be turned with its inside outwards, but 

 without any breach except at the jaws. These crea- 

 tures do not, however, like some of the snakes, put 

 off the coverings of the eyes along with the skin - y 

 for two round holes always appear where the eyes 

 have been. 



This operation sometimes occupies near half an 

 hour ; and after it is finished the Lizard appears full 

 ot lite and vigour. If the skin is not taken away- 

 very shortly after it is cast the animal usually swal- 

 lows it whole, as it does other food. Sometimes it 



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