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spots. Often there is a double row of dark brown blotches edged 
with white running down the back. Frequently these markings 
merge into one anoiiier forming a continuotis line. In f^act it would 
be-a diflicult task to find two specimens with the same pattern. As 
this reptile inhabits grassy slopes it will be seen how adtnirably its 
colouration is adapted to Us protection, l.ike all tite members of its 
class this lizard is particularly fleet. The speed, however, cannot be 
maintained for long, but as the animal is seldom far from its hole it 
can cover just that distance with wonderful ability. When caught 
it bites furiously, and very often breaks its tail as well, but the nip 
though painful lor the moment does not even cause the teeth to 
break the skin (ij to i feet). 
The Sand Lizard is a truly British reptile. Its appearance is, 
however, uncertain, and its distribution is very local. On the 
Continent it is abundant, forming several varieties there. This 
lizard is much blunter headed than its green relative just described, 
the tail too is proportionally shorter. The darker markings on the 
back are chocolate-brown relieved with white spots, while the under 
surface is greenish closely spotted with black. This will at once 
separate emerald varieties of the sand lizard from the green lizard, 
in which the ventral surface is a uniform yellowish colour (8 to ro 
inches). 
The Viviparous Lizard is the comir on brown one, frequently 
met with on sunny days all over the British Isles, not excepting even 
Ireland. It is fairly common on dry heaths where there is plenty of 
heather cover. The black spotted brown colour is very difficult lo 
see against the bare ground where it delights to bask (6 to 8 inche-s). 
Wall Lizards are very abundant all over the Continent. They 
may be seen scampering up and down the loose stone walls of 
gardens in the hottest sunshine, and hiding in nooks and crannies 
such rockeries afford. They seem to form endless varieties, the 
colours ranging from light brown with yellow spots to dark green 
relieved with patches of black (7 to 9 inches). 
The last six lizards described are all very suitable for the vivarium 
and may be kept together quite safely if they are all of about one 
size. There might be some cannibal tragedies if this were not the 
case, especially where the sand lizard is caged. They should be 
liberally fed on flies, grasshoppers, beetles, worms, and spiders. 
Acanthus-footed Lizard. — This little animal comes from North 
Africa and is usually a light brownish-yellow colour, with bright 
piercing eyes and a tail much longer than its body. It lives chiefly 
among stones where it subsists on the sand-beetles to be obtained in 
such places. It derives both its popular and scientific names from 
the fact that its hind feet are fringed something like the leaves of the 
conventional acanthus flower which adorns certain kinds of architec- 
ture. It will live very well in a vivarium where it can get access to 
plenty of sun.shine (I to to inches). 
The Blue Lizard is an inhabitant of Central America. If the 
illustration be coiiqiarcd with that of the scheltopusik, it will be 
noticed that both animals have the later.al fold running from the 
neck to the root of the tail. In fact, we might almost be justified in 
calling the blue lizard a scheltopusik with limbs as the two are 
closely relatetb The animal in question thrives very well in an 
ordinary vivaritim where it will cat almost any small moving niev 
(r to IJ4 feet). •* ^ ‘ ^ 
