LlZMtDS. 



413 



The genua Ifistiurus lias the compressed back ami tail aniifil with a crest; that of 

 the tail being much the larger. A reiireseiitative is the saii-ii/.unl, //. itmbolnensis, so 

 called from the enormous ijerpemlicular development surmounting its tail. It is one 

 of the largest tree-lizards, being nearly four feet in length, and is of a general brown 

 color, shadiii'j; into green on the neck mikI head. The animal is chictly known through 

 the writings of Valentvn, the early 1 )utcli traveler and divine, W'ho found it in the island 

 of Amboyna, where it lived in the woods and thickets bordering streams, 'i'he diet, be- 

 sides seeds and berries, is made up of water-plants, worms, millepedes, and such like. 

 When it is frightened it seeks safety by di\ing atid hiding under some submerged 

 rock, from wliich retreat, Ijeing exci'eclingly stupid, it will allow itself to be taken in 



• . H>'^ 



/^/^^^/ . 



Fig. 239. — Moloch horridus. 



a net, or may even be grasped by the hand, not offering the slightest opposition to its 

 capture. The natives destroy large immbers of them for food, the flesh being white, 

 tender, and very ])alatal)le. 



The genus Phri/noeephalus is restricted to central Asia, and may be recognized by 

 the stout head and anteriorly directed nostrils. The tongue is not notched, but 

 slightly pointed ; the eyes small, with well-developed lids, of which the u]iper is rudi- 

 mentary and hidden below the projecting superciliary ridge. The body is much 

 dejiressed and covered above with minute scales, which along the sides l)ecome siranu- 

 lar ; the legs are well develojicd and are without pores. The tail is said to be prehen- 

 sile, though this is doubtful. 



