82 THE VIVARIUM. 
vary much in form and in scaling. Some of them are 6ft. in 
length, the tail, however, being longer than the body. These 
Lizards frequently live in burrows which they make for them- 
selves, or in hollows in trees, and their food consists of fruit, 
small mammals, frogs, eggs, birds, and small reptiles. They are 
of atimid nature, but-the larger ones will fight very fiercely when 
cornered, jumping and biting at their would-be captor’s face ; 
they will also stand at bay when pursued by dogs. Sometimes, 
while being hunted they take refuge in water, diving beneath 
the surface and remaining there for a considerable time. 
The Teiidee are supposed never to ascend trees, but they run 
along the ground with great rapidity and in a _ serpent-like 
manner. They generally lay their eggs, to the number of about 
fifty, in the nests of the White Ants, from which they have 
_ previously driven the lawful owners. By some people the flesh 
of these Reptiles is highly valued as food ; and the natives of those 
countries in which these animals are found, superstitiously 
consider that the scales of their tails are useful as a protection 
against paralysis, and that their fat is serviceable both as a salve 
and as a poultice. 
The Teguexin and its near relatives are said to give warning, 
by hissing, of the approach of the Alligator, as the Monitors of 
the Old World are reported to act in regard to the Crocodile. 
Probably, however, there is no truth in either assertion. These 
Lizards cannot be kept in captivity as easily as most other 
Reptiles, for they require almost constant artificial heat, and 
a regular and plentiful supply of food. Besides in this country 
they are rather expensive to buy. However, they readily 
become reconciled to their place of confinement, and if kindly 
treated, soon learn to know their fosterer, though perhaps they 
never grow perfectly tame, the least thing sometimes irritating 
or frightening them. 
They have a habit, which is rather attractive, of sitting or 
reposing with their heads raised and slightly thrown backward. 
Mr. Boulenger, in his ‘‘ Catalogue of Lizards,’’ describes thirty- 
five genera and 108 species of this family. 
The Common Teguexin (Z'upinambis teguixin) is a handsome 
Reptile, occasionally reaching a length of more than 4ft., of 
