THE LIZARDS 97 



and pattern are among the Geckonidce, Iguanidce, 

 Agamidce and Chamaeleontidce ; others exhibit no trace 

 of this characteristic ; among the latter are the members 

 of the Lacertidce, Teidce and Scincidce. 



Reproduction: As a rule, lizards deposit a moder- 

 ate number of oval, soft-shelled eggs, hatching in eight 

 or ten weeks. In certain families, however, among 

 which are the Iguanidce, Lacertidce, Anguidce and 

 Scincidce are a number of species producing their young 

 alive. 



Distribution: Compared with snakes, a far greater 

 proportion of the lizards are confined to the warmer 

 portions of the globe; only a limited number of species 

 occur in temperate latitudes. An examination of the 

 classified list that follows will show the distribution 

 generally, but concise mention of the more important 

 families may not be amiss. The large family Geck- 

 onidce is distributed completely around the world, 

 though restricted, as a rule, to semi-tropical and tropical 

 latitudes; even in the tiny Polynesian Islands, this ring 

 of distribution is continued. The extensive range may 

 be accounted for by the secretive habits of many of the 

 species, which are nocturnal. They are undoubtedly 

 carried from one island to another in exchanges of 

 produce. Another family inhabiting both the Old and 

 the New World is the Scincidce — and the species range 

 well into the temperate regions of both hemispheres; 

 one genus, Lygosoma, with over one hundred and sixty 

 species, is represented in Malaysia, Australia, North 

 America and Central America; nor is it an exception 

 in this extensively distributed family. The large fam- 

 ily Iguanidce is restricted to the New World with the 

 peculiar exceptions of a few representatives in Mada- 



