84 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
Class REPTILIA
Order LACERTILIA.
Family LACERTIDAE.
Genus Lacerta, Linn.
Lacerta vivipara, Jacq. Viviparous Lizard. Locally, "Swift."
This active little creature is common in all parts of Essex,
especially so on all furze-covered commons or heaths. It may
often be found basking in the sun on a gate or rail, fully
exposed to the hottest rays, at the warmest period of the year.
I have several times seen specimens in which the tail was bifid,
possibly the result of an injury. One such is noted {Zool,
1861, p. 7514.)
Family ANGUIDAE.
Genus Anguis, Linn.
Anguis fragilis, Linn. Slow Worm or Blind Worm,
This is quite common everywhere. It is very extraordinary
that this perfectly harmless snake-like lizard should be so
generally considered venomous by country people, by some
of whom it is even more feared than the Viper. I have often
been cautioned of the danger I ran in handling such a
poisonous creature. I suppose, in time, better knowledge will
prevail; but at present its strong resemblance to a snake
induces country people almost universally to destroy it.
Order OPHIDIA.
Family COLUBRIDAE,
Genus Tropidonotus, Kuhl.
Tropidonotus natrix, Kuhl. Common, or Ringed, Snake.
This reptile is fairly common throughout the county,
abounding in wooded and marshy districts. Its fondness for