THE SCALY LIZARD. 45 



THE SIX-LINED TARAGUIKA also belongs to the Teguexins. This pretty little Lizard, with 

 its dark green body, and yellow streaks, inhabits North America. Mr. Holbrook makes the 

 following remarks respecting its habits : "This is a very lively, active animal, choosing dry 

 and sandy places for its residence, and is frequently met with in the neighborhood of planta- 

 tions, or near fences and hedges. Most usually it is seen on the ground in search of insects ; 

 its motions are remarkably quick, and it runs with great speed. It is very timid. It feeds 

 on insects, and generally seeks its food towards the close of the day, when they may be seen 

 in corn fields, far from their usual retreat ; and not unfrequently I have met male and female 

 in company." 



The Six-lined Lizard (Onemidophorus sexilineatus\ called in the South "Taraguera," 

 inhabits the States from Virginia to Mexico. 



A brief notice must also be given of two curious species, also belonging to the same family. 

 The first is the SPUBUED CENTROPYX, or SPUEEED LIZAED (Centropyx calcdtus), so called from 

 two pair of small, sharp, horny spikes, which are set at each side of the base of the tail. The 

 color of this species is olive-green above, with three streaks of a paler hue, and a double 

 series of black spots on the back. Below it is greenish-white. 



The other species is the GREAT DEAGON (Ada guianensis), a native of tropical America. 

 This fine Lizard is generally from four to nearly six feet in length, and is strong and nimble. 

 It does not appear to be so good a swimmer as some of the preceding species, but runs fast, 

 and can climb trees with great agility. It is generally found among the marshy and low-lying 

 lands, though it spends more time on the land than in the water. 



It is a desperate fighter when attacked, and as it has a habit of hiding itself in a deep 

 burrow, and bites fiercely at the hand that is thrust forward to seize it, it is not easily cap- 

 tured. It is, however, much sought after, as its flesh is very good, and the eggs are thought 

 to be great delicacies. There are usually from thirty to forty eggs. The general color of this 

 reptile is olive, yellow beneath, and mottled with brown. 



There are twelve genera and about" forty species of the family Tcidte, or the Teguexins, 

 this name being derived from some local designation. They are all peculiar to the New 

 World. 



THE true LIZARDS, or Lacertinidae, now come before our notice. The tongue of these 

 reptiles is long, flat, can be thrust out to some distance, and very deeply forked. The teeth 

 are hollow at their roots, the scales are keeled, and the sides are flat. They are scattered over 

 the greater part of the globe. 



Europe possesses at least two examples of this- family, one of which, the SCALY LIZARD, 

 is extremely common. 



This pretty little reptile is extremely plentiful upon heaths, banks and commons, where 

 it may be seen darting about in its own quick, lively manner, flitting among the grass stalks 

 with a series of sharp, twisting springs, snapping up the unsuspecting flies as they rest on the 

 grass blades, and ever and anon slipping under shelter of a gorse bush, or heather tuft, only 

 to emerge in another moment brisk and lively as ever. 



These little creatures are so quick and sharp sighted, that it is not very easy to catch 

 them, especially if they are among gorse bushes, for they twist about so adroitly, that a very 

 smart movement of the hand is required to follow them, and the prickly points of the gorse 

 are always lurking among the grass, to the detriment of a tender skin. They can swim toler- 

 ably if thrown into the water, but do not seem to seek that element voluntarily. I have 

 generally found that when flung into water, they lie for a short time quite motionless, with 

 their limbs extended, and tail straight, as if bewildered with the sudden change. They soon, 

 however, get their head towards shore, and then, with a serpentine movement of the tail, 

 scull themselves to land. 



This is one of the reptiles that produces living young, the eggs being hatched just before 

 the young Lizards are born. With reptiles, the general plan is to place the eggs in some spot 

 where they are exposed to the heat of the sunbeams ; but this Lizard, together with the viper, 

 is in the habit of lying on a sunny bank before her young ones are born, apparently for the 



