THE GREEN LIZARD. 



47 



The color of this Lizard is very beautiful, rendering it one of the most lovely of its 

 tribe. The ground color of the body is bright, glittering green, as if covered with an armor 

 of emeralds, upon which are set, alon«' the sides, some rather large, eye-like spots of rich 



^.N&tf.X 



EYED LIZARD.— Lacerta oceUata. (One-half natural size). 



azure. A kind of network of black is also spread over the body, sometimes running in 

 well-defined lines, and sometimes composed of rows of black dots. The temples of the Eyed 

 Lizard are covered with unequal, many-sided scales, rather convex in their form. Its length 

 when full grown is about fifteen or sixteen inches, but it is very variable in size as well as in 

 color. 



A vert beautiful species of this genus is common in many parts of Europe, Asia, and 

 Africa. This is the Green Lizard. As its name imports, this reptile is of a green color, and 

 with the exception of the preceding species, is as beautiful a creature as can be seen. 



Like the eyed Lizard, it haunts sunny spots, and may be found in orchards, gardens, 

 shrubberies, copses, and similar localities, where it can find plenty of food and obtain conceal- 

 ment when alarmed. Old ruins, too, are greatly haunted by this beautiful Lizard, which Hits 

 among the moss-covered stones with singular activity, lying at one moment as if asleep in the 

 sunbeams, or crawling slowly, as if unable to proceed at any smarter pace, and then, when the 

 hand is thrust towards it, disappearing with a rapidity that looks like magic. 



Since the great demand for ferneries and vivaria of different descriptions has arisen, this 

 Lizard is used as a beautiful ornament to a glass fern-case, and is sufficiently hardy to be kept 

 alive with a very little care. It seems to revel in the sunshine, and there are few objects more 



