LIZARDS. 



315 



it; and it shows the great delight which it enjoys under the influ- 

 ence of the sun, by the gentle agitation of its slender tail, and by 

 the animating pleasure which sparkles in its lively, brilliant eyes. 

 As it subsists on animals of a very minute size, if any of them 

 come within its reach, it will dart upon them with astonishing 

 rapidity : and if any danger is near, with equal quickness it will 

 escape into some safe place of retreat. It is on account of its 

 very rapid movements, which are most remarkable in warm cli- 

 mates, that it receives the well-merited name of the nimble lizard. 

 In May it deposits its eggs, which are very small and spher- 

 ical, in some warm situation, often at the bottom of a wall fronting 

 the south, where they are hatched by the heat of the sun- 



The Salamander Lizard. 



The Salamander Lizard is in length from seven to eight 

 inches, though in some cases much longer. It differs from other 



