Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-05-05

ed by the structure of their teeth and the
manner of insertion into the jaws. One of
these families is again sub-divided into
four groups which differ in the form of
their tails. The first group pass their
lives in the water or in wet places; the
second avoid the water; the third frequent
woods and gardens. and the fourth are
found in dry and desert localities.
Lizards are the best known among
reptiles both in Europe or America. They
vary in length from a few inches to three
or four feet. Their colors are generally
pleasing, but are somewhat variable.
They move rapidly both on land and in
the water. They sometimes lose their
tails by accident, but they are soon repro
duced. Their senses are dull except in
the sense of taste and vision. They drink
by tapping. They live upon insects, birds,
reptiles and mammals. The muscles that
control the jaws are very powerful, and
their bite is severe and long continued.
One species bring forth their young
alive; all the others are oviparous. In
South America the flesh of some of the
larger species is regarded as delicious
food As Il matter of taste ce should
prefer good beef steak. One of the two
especially to the new world The other.
called the cglodentS, are natives of Europe.
Asia and Africa. One species is found
only in America. The largest of this last
named kind are more than four feet long.
They are voracious, and live upon mice,
frogs, and other similar animals. They
are swift runners, and when pursued, they
will turn upon their pursuers and bite.
-, Ill 1x,itb thnir foil
These frequent the dry places of tropical
South America. The hollow toothed
lizards of the old world are all terrestrial
group are excellent climbers on trees
and walls, are of mild disposition. and
not unfriendly to man. They are slender
and graceful and quick in their motions.
The European lizard has Il reddish brown
back sometimes spotted with black; the
sides are green with brown spots, and the
lower parts chiefly white. 1t is stout
viper in form. and about eight inches long.
1t is found in Europe near the Caspian sea,
and in Asia, both in level and hilly dis
trcts, in which it digs hole near some
bush or tree. 1t passes the winter in
dormant state, and in the summer it lives
upon insects and Larvae. Two-thlrds OF
the viviparous lizards is tail. and all told,
it is only seven and half inches long.
Its back is of reddish brown color, with
black bands on each side and white
strip above and below. A black streak
runs along the spine. The upper parts
are orange yellow with black spots inter-
spersed. This species is found in the
mountain regions of Europe, but some-
times in deep and damp woods. 1t is
timld but very active, and lives for the
most part upon insects. Towards the
month of June, the female lays from five
to seven eggs, which hatch in u fea0 mo-
nlents after they are laid. The green
lizard grows to the length of some eighteen
inches, of which the tail is twelve inches.
Green is the prevailing color, with some
spots of yellow, white and black. The
, lizard is found in all parts of Europe, in
northern Africa and western Asia. The
anguinc lizard is made a type of a distinct
family by DR.. Gray. 1t is covered with
elongated scales, and has four very small
feet, each with single toe. This species
more resembles snake than any other
of its kind. 1t is found at the cape of
Good Hope The nimble lizard and the
sand lizard belong to the same genus.
The latter inhabits sandy heaths, is very
active and timd, and will bite when cap.
tuted. The female lays twelve or fourteen
eggs which she leaves in the sand to be
hatched by the heat of the sun. How
does she know that the sun will hatch
them? There are some other interesting
species which we have not room in this
pap er to describe.