Page:British Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fresh-water Fishes.djvu/34

BRITISH REPTILES The eggs are carried by the female until they are hatched, and the young has little or no difficulty in breaking the transparent egg-membrane, and making good its exit. Early in Autumn the thread-like young ones make their appearance, and they number from six to twelve, sometimes less. It takes several years for them to reach the adult state. The favourite food of this gardener's friend is slugs, and these are sought for when it is getting dusk. One instance is recorded of a male which ate no less than seventeen slugs at a "sitting." Earth-Worms are also sought after, but if slugs are obtainable these are preferred. In view of this, every tiller of the soil should encourage, rather than destroy, this beneficent creature. It appears to be the common grey slug of our gardens which is most relished, and it is interesting to note that,so unconcerned is the former, it does not realise that the Slow Worm is intending to make a meal of it, and no effort is put forth to get out of harm's way. The young are at first silvery- white on the upper parts, and inky black beneath. The line of demarcation along the centre of the back is very conspicuous. Later on, the underneath becomes mottled-grey, with brownish, polished copper, or grey above. The skin is covered with smooth rounded scales, and this is a characteristic feature, as also the moveable eyelids. The average length of a full-grown specimen, with the whole of the tail intact, is from 12 to 15 inches. Although the 18