CLASS EEPTILIA. 



117 



FIG. 202. 



Phrft nos' 6 ma cor nu' ta. 

 Horned Toad. (}.) 



is the usual color of the under side ; but the almost in- 

 stantaneous change of color on the 

 upper side, through varying shades 

 of prismatic hue from dark brown to 

 bright green as extremes, has given 

 to this animal its common name in 

 the localities it inhabits. 



The Horned Toads, of which there 

 are several different species, are found 

 in abundance on our great Western 

 plains, where their somber colors at- 

 tract but little attention. They are 

 in no wise related to the Batrachians, 

 the misnomer being given through a 

 general resemblance on the back to 

 the coloration of the toad. Brought east, they are some- 

 times kept as pets, though the cooler climate often renders 



them semi-torpid and indifferent to 

 their keepers. 



The " Glass Snake " is a true lizard, 

 though it is without feet. When irri- 

 tated, it has the peculiar habit of break- 

 ing itself into two or more pieces ; but 

 these pieces do not form new individ- 

 uals, nor do they come together again. 

 While its enemy is seizing these frag- 

 ments, the anterior part of the animal 

 often escapes, finally reproducing the 

 lost parts. It inhabits the Southern 

 States. 



The Slue-tailed Skink, inhabiting the more central 

 parts of the Union, is often found secreted beneath the 

 bark of some prostrate log, where it lies in wait for some 



FIG. 203. 



Oph i sau' rus ven trd' tls. 

 Glass Snake. 



