162 LIZARDS. 



by the trapezoidal shape of the small occipital shield, by the absence of the row of 

 small granules which occur between the shields of the eyelids (supraoculars) and 

 eyebrows (supraciliaries) in the green and wall-lizards, and by the foot being not 

 longer than the head. Although there is great variation in this respect, the 

 general colour of the male is greenish, and that of the female grey or brown ; the 

 crown of the head, a streak down the back, and the tail being mostly brown, while 

 the chin and under-parts are greenish or yellowish. The streak down the back, 

 and in the females also the sides, are marked by rows of white spots, which are 

 sometimes large and eye-like ; and the under surface is marked with black. Some 

 individuals, especially males, closely approach the green lizard in coloration. 



The range of the sand-lizard embraces North, Central, and Eastern Europe, 

 and extends eastwards to Western Siberia and Asiatic Russia. In England it is 

 generally found on sandy heaths, where it may often be seen running across the 

 open paths with a speed less rapid than that of the more common viviparous 

 species. It is more timid and less easily tamed than the green lizard, generally 

 pining and refusing to feed in captivity. According to Bell, the female lays her 

 eggs, to the number of twelve or fourteen, in hollows in the sand, which she 

 excavates for the purpose, and having covered them carefully with sand, she 

 leaves them to be hatched by the solar heat. 



viviparous. A still smaller, and at the same time a more slightly built 



Lizard. species is the common English viviparous lizard (L. vivipara), which 

 varies in length from 6 to just over 7 inches in length. It has larger scales than 

 the last, which are not more than forty-five round the middle of the body, and the 

 foot generally exceeds the head in length ; granules being absent above the eyes. 

 The absence of teeth on the palate is another feature in which this species differs 

 from the sand-lizard. The colour of the adult is brown, yellowish, or reddish, 

 ornamented with small dark and light spots, and often with a dark streak down 

 the back, and another, edged with yellowish, on each side. In the male, the under 

 surface is orange or vermilion, spotted with black ; and in the female, pale orange 

 or yellow, sparsely spotted with black, or uniform. The young are nearly black, 

 and this hue occasionally persists. Unknown to the south of the Alps, the 

 viviparous, or, as it is sometimes called, mountain-lizard, is spread over the greater 

 part of North and Central Europe, and the whole of Northern Asia, as far as 

 Amurland, ranging in the Alps to a height of nearly ten thousand feet. At this 

 elevation it is, however, dormant for fully three-quarters of the year, being active 

 for only two or three months. In Britain it extends to Scotland, and is one of 

 the few reptiles found in Ireland. Generally similar in its habits to its allies, it 

 is more fond of water, and is a good swimmer, usually frequenting heaths and 

 banks. " Its movements," writes Bell, " are beautifully graceful as well as rapid ; 

 it comes out of its hiding-place during the warm parts of the day from the early 

 spring till autumn has far advanced, basking in the sun, and turning its hen I 

 witli a sudden motion, if an insect comes within its view, and, darting like 

 lightning upon its prey, it seizes it with its little sharp teeth, and speedily 

 swallows it." Unlike its kin, this species produces living young, varying from 

 three to six in number, which are active as soon as born, and remain in the 

 company of their parent for some time. 



