1835.] MARINE AMBLYRHYNCHUS. 



385 



inhabitant of the Galapagos ; for it is found on all, or nearly 

 all, the islands, even on some of the smaller ones where there 

 is no water ; had it been an imported species, this would hardly 

 have been the case in a group which has been so little fre- 

 quented. Moreover, the old Bucaniers found this tortoise in 

 greater numbers even than at present : Wood and Rogers also, 

 in 1708, say that it is the opinion of the Spaniards, that it is 

 found nowhere else in this quarter of the world. It is now 

 widely distributed ; but it may be questioned whether it is in 

 any other place an aboriginal. The bones of a tortoise at Mau- 

 ritius, associated with those of the extinct Dodo, have gene- 

 rally been considered as belonging to this tortoise : if this had 

 been so, undoubtedly it must have been there indigenous ; but 

 M. Bibron informs me that he believes that it was distinct, as 

 the species now living there certainly is. 



The Amblyrhynchus, a remarkable genus of lizards, is confined 

 to this archipelago : there are two species, resembling each 

 other in general form, one being terrestrial and the other aquatic. 

 This latter species (A. cristatus) was first characterised by Mr. 

 Bell, who well foresaw, from its short, broad head, and strong 

 claws of equal length, that its habits of life would turn out very 

 peculiar, and different from those of its nearest ally, the Iguana. 

 It is extremely common on all the islands throughout the group, 

 and lives exclusively on the rocky sea-beaches, being never 

 found, at least I never saw one, even ten yards in-shore. It is a 

 hideous-looking creature, of a dirty black colour, stupid, and 



Amblyrhynchus cristatus. a, Tooth of natural size, and likewise magnified. 



sluggish in its movements. The usual length of a full-grown 

 one is about a yard, but there are some even four feet long ; a 



2c 



