SAURIA. 31 



Physignathus, Cuv. 



The same teeth, scales, and pores; the head very much enlarged 

 behind, and without the dewlap; a crest of large pointed scales on the 

 back and tail, which is strongly compressed. 



Ph. cocincinus, Nob. is a large species from Cochin China; 

 blue, with stout scales, and some spines on the enlargements of 

 the sides of the head. It lives on fruit, &c. 



IsTiuRUS; Cuv. LopiiURAj Gray.(l) 



The distinguishing character of this genus consists in an elevated 

 and trenchant crest, which extends along a part of the tail, and which 

 is supported by high spinous apophyses of the vertebrae; this crest 

 is scaly like the rest of the body; the scales on the belly and tail are 

 small, and approach somewhat to a square form; the teeth are strong, 

 compressed, and without denticulations: there are none in the pa- 

 late: there is a series of femoral pores. The skin of the throat is 

 smooth and lax, but Avithout forming a dewlap. 



Lac. amboinensis, Gm. ; Le Porte-Crete, Lacep. ; Schlosser, 

 Monog., cop. Bonnat. Erpet. pi. v, f. 2, The crest confined 

 to the origin of the tail; some spines on the front of the back; 

 lives in water, or on the shrubs about its shores; feeds on seeds 

 and worms. We have discovered in its stomach both leaves and 

 insects. It is sometimes found four feet in length. Its flesh is 

 edible. 



Draco, L.(2) 



The Dragons are distinguished at the first glance, from all other 

 Saurians, by their first six false ribs, which, instead of encircling 

 the abdomen, extend outwards in a straight line, and support a pro- 

 duction of the skin, forming a kind of wing that may be compared 

 to that of a Bat, but which is not connected wiih the four feet; it 

 acts like a parachute in supporting them, when they leap from one 

 branch to another, but has not sufficient power to enable them to 



(1) I have changed this name of Lophura, which is too much like that of Lo- 

 phyrus. 



(2) The term J'pa.x.iev, draco, generally designated a large Serpent; Dragons, 

 with a crest or beard, are spoken of by ancient writers, a description which can 

 only apply to the Iguana,- Lucian is the first who mentions Flying Dragons, allud- 

 ing, no doubt, to the pretended Flying Serpents treated of by Herodotus; St Au- 

 gustine, and other subsequent authors, ever after described Dragons as having 

 wings. 



