THE COMMON LIZARD. 339 



Lizard is the smaller of the two, measuring about six inches, 

 the Sand Lizard sometimes attaining to double that length. 

 The former frequents green and sunny banks, and is so rapid 

 in its movements when disturbed that it is sometimes mistaken 

 for a viper. The latter, which frequents sandy heaths and lives 

 in burrows, assimilates to the colour of its surroundings. 

 The Monitor. The Monitor is the largest of the Lizards, 

 sometimes measuring as much as six feet in length. The 

 largest of these frequents the Nile, and is known as the Nile 

 Monitor, from the habit attributed to it of signalling the 

 presence of crocodiles by a peculiar whistling sound. Dr. 

 Abel Smith says, "It is usually met with in rocky precipices, 

 or on low, stony hills, and when surprised, seeks conceal- 

 ment in the chinks of the former, or in the irregular cavities 

 of the latter ; and when any projections exist upon the sur- 

 face of the rocks or stones, it clasps them so firmly with its 

 toes, that it becomes a task of no small difficulty to dislodge 

 it, even though it can be easily reached. Under such cir- 

 cumstances the strength of no one man is able to withdraw 

 a full-grown individual ; and I have seen two persons re- 

 quired to pull a specimen out of a position it had attained, 

 even with the assistance of a rope fixed in front of its hin- 

 der legs. The moment it was dislodged it flew with fury 

 at its enemies, who by flight only saved themselves from 

 being bitten. After it was killed, it was discovered that 

 the points of all the nails had been broken previously, or 

 at the moment it lost its hold. It feeds upon frogs, .crabs, 

 and small quadrupeds, and, from its partiality to the two 

 former, it is often found among rocks near to springs or run- 

 ning streams, which fact having been observed by the natives, 

 has led them to regard it as sacred, and not to be injured with- 

 out danger of drought. ' ' 



ORDER IV. There are hundreds of species of snakes dis- 



Snakes. tributed in different parts of the world, of which 



we can only select a few of the better known for present pur- 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



