Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/32

BRITISH REPTILES and the body scales smooth. The average length is given as 24 inches, the male being the shorter of the two sexes. As in the case of the Grass Snake, an obnoxious secretion is emitted for the purpose of defence. The first authentic record of this rare British species dates from 1853, when a specimen was secured in Dorset. Although of fierce disposition, the Smooth Snake only possesses minute teeth, and is a harmless species. True, it possesses two fang-like processes right at the back of the jaws, but it has been suggested that these may serve the purpose of more securely holding its prey which might otherwise be able to make good its escape.

ORDER LACERTILIA, OR LIZARDS Slow Worm.—Anguis fragilis (Fig. 5). This Snake-like Lizard—for such it is in spite of its misleading English name — belongs to the Family Anguidæ. It is the sole representative of its genus, and has acquired its specific name of fragilis because, when handled, it has the habit of not only becoming quite rigid, but if doubled up or struck, it snaps, or breaks, in two. Indeed when in this rigid state its body can be broken into several small pieces. Although it does not occur in Ireland, it is a familiar object in England, Scotland, and Wales, but it often escapes detection because of its fondness for 16