vi] DISTRIBUTION OF SELECTED GROUPS 101 



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LIZARDS. 



Geckos, probably the oldest family, are found in 

 all warm countries and islands, even in New Zealand 

 and the Sandwich Islands, being particularly fit for 

 accidental transport. Equally cosmopolitan are the 

 also very ancient Skiuks. 



The following families are restricted to the Old 

 World : (1) Chameleons in Africa and Madagascar, 

 and a few in Syria and Arabia, South India and 

 Ceylon ; (2 and 3) Agamas and Varans or * Monitors,' 

 in the whole of Africa, Asia Minor to China and to 

 Tasmania ; absent from New Zealand and Mada- 

 gascar ; (4) Lacertidae or lizards proper, in Africa, 

 Europe, Asia; absent from Madagascar and Austra- 

 lasia. 



The following occur in both the Old and the New 

 World : (1) Amphisbaenas, burrowing, worm-shaped; 

 in the warmer parts of America, including Antilles ; 

 the whole of continental Africa and Mediterranean 

 countries, like Spain, Sardinia, Corsica, Cyprus and 

 Asia Minor, a strong indication of Tertiary Afro- 

 American connexion. (2) Slow- worms or Anguidae; 

 centre of dispersal probably middle America, the home 

 of the limbed genera, now extending to Vancouver 

 and to Costa Rica and the Antilles. The only kinds 

 in the Old World are limbless : the slow- worm, Anguis 

 fragilis, is European ; of the glass-snakes, Ophisanrus, 



