424 
A DESCRIPTION OP 
osity of all who came to the house, and even females so 
far conquered the horrors instilled into them by their 
nurses, as generally to request to see it fed. It appeared 
most partial to flesh-maggots, which were kept for it in 
bran. It would follow them on the table, and, when 
within a proper distance, would fix its eyes and remain 
motionless for a little while, apparently to prepare for the 
stroke which was to follow, and which was instantaneous. 
It threw out its tongue to a great distance, and the in- 
sect, stuck by the glutinous matter to its tip, was swal- 
lowed by a motion quicker than the eye could follow. 
After having been kept more than thirty-six years, it was 
at length destroyed by a tame raven, which one day 
seeing it at the mouth of its hole, pulled it out, and so 
wounded it that it died. 
SECTION III. Jsaurtan 
THE LIZARD. (Lacerta vivipara.) 
THIS is a British species, and it is one of the very few 
reptiles found in Ireland. Its movements are very grace- 
ful. It comes out of its hiding-place during the day to 
bask in the sun ; and when it sees an insect, it darts like 
