SAURIA. 277 



Tin: ECFHIHOTES, Fitz. 

 Teeth and pores of the preceding, hut small scales on the body only ; those of the tail, w hich is thick, 

 heing large, pointed, and keeled ; head plated ; general form somewhat short and flattened, as iu 

 certain Agamis, rather than attenuated as in the Marblets. 



Oplcrus, Cuv., — 

 Differs from the last in wanting femoral pores, with keeled and pointed caudal scales, which approximate 

 this group to the Stellions ; the dorsal scales are also keeled and pointed, hut very small. 



The Anoi.is (Juolins, Cuv.) — 

 To the general form of the Iguanas, and especially of the Marblets, conjoin a very peculiar distinctive 

 character; the skin of their toes widening under the antepenultimate phalanx into an oval disk, striated 

 across underneath, so as to attach to different kinds of surfaces, over which they creep with much 

 facility by means of their very crooked claws. The hody and tail are uniformly roughened with 

 minute scales, and the greater number have a goitre-like appendage under the throat, which inflates 

 and changes colour with the passions of the animal, and during the season of copulation. Several of 

 them at least equal the Chameleon in the facility with which they vary the colours of their skin. Their 

 ribs unite beneath into complete circles, as in the Chameleons and the Marblets. Their teeth, as in 

 the Iguanas and Marblets, are trenchant and denticulated, and they have the same range of them 

 the palate. The skin of the tail wrinkles into slight folds, each containing some circular ranges of scales. 

 This genus appears to he peculiar to America. 



Some have a caudal cre.-t sustained by spinous vertebra! aphopyses, as in the Istiures and Basilisks ; while others 

 have a round tail, or which is only n little compressed. 



It is to this family of Iguanians with palatal teeth, that the enormous fossil reptile of Maestricht ap- 

 pertains, to which the term Mososaurus has been applied ; the Geosaurus of Soemmering, also, the Mega- 

 losaurus of Buckland, and the Iyaanoilon of Mantell, with certain others, all of immense size, appear to 

 approximate this same family ; but their characters are not sufficiently known to class them with certainty. 



THE FOURTH FAMILY OF THE SAURIANS,— 



The Geckotians, — 

 Consists of nocturnal species, so similar that they may he all left under a single generic head, — 



The Geckos, Daud. {Stellio, Schneider. ; Jscalabotes, Cuv.). 



These have not the attenuated form of the Lizards already treated of, but, on the contrary, are flat- 

 tened, more particularly on the head, and have the feet of mean length, and the toes nearly equal ; their 

 gait is slow and stately ; their very large eyes, the pupil of which shrinks from the light, as in the Cats, 

 indicate them to be nocturnal creatures, which pass the day in obscure places; their very short eyelids 

 retreat altogether between the eye and orbit, which imparts a different physiognomy from that of other 

 Saurians; their fleshy tongue is not extensible; their tympanum a little deepened; their jaws 

 armed all round with one range of minute serrated teeth ; their palate toothless; their skin is roughened 

 above with minute granular scales, among which are often some larger tubercles, and is covered on 

 the under parts with somewhat less diminutive flat and imbricated scales. Some ha\e femoral 

 pores. The tail has circular folds, as in the Anolis; but. when it has been severed, it is reproduced 

 without folds, and even without tubercles, which has led to a multiplication of the Bp< 



This genus is very numerous, and is diffused over the hot regions of both continent*. Their tardy and sombre 

 aspect imparts a certain resemblance to the Toads and Salamanders, and nave hence caused them to be disliked, 

 and accused of being venomous without any proof tbal thej are so. 



Tin' greater Dumber have tbe tarsi widened throughout or in part, and marked underneath with very regular 

 folds of the skin, which enable them to adhere to surfaces, so a> to »aik even on ceilings. Their claws 

 variously retractile, and preserve their sharp points ; whi< h circumstance, in conjunction with their eyes, has led 

 to their being compared to the Cats among mammiferous animals, these claws, however, vary in numbei 

 according to the species, and in sum,- are wanting altogether. 



The In -st and mOSl numerous subdivision Of the GeCkOB, whirh 1 name PlatydactyU*, have tms n iihned through- 



out their length with transverse scales underneath ; some have claws on all tluir toes, and verj small thui 

 The) are handsome animals, with bright colours, and are entirelj covered with tubercles. The dub-rent ki 

 species inbabil tbe Mauritius. There an- some with femoral pores, and others without, ai ; the latter Mm- 



with fewer or no claws. 



