LIZARDS. 



35 



Case 20. 



Teju {Tupinambis tegiiixin, 421), which reaches a yard in length. 

 Drac(Bna f/uianensis is peculiar in having clieek-teeth of a molar-like 

 type. Ameiva dorsalis (423 ) is a smaller AVest Indian species. 



The Amphisbjenas (family Amphishanuda, 436-437) are worm-like 

 and for the most part limbless tropical Lizards which take their name 

 from their power of progressing either forwards or backwards. They 

 are degraded, or perhaps specialised types ; and are characterised by 

 having the body covered with soft skin, which forms mnnerons rings 

 and shows only vestiges of scales. The genus Ghirotes alone retains 

 short and four-clawed front-limbs. About a dozen generic types are 

 recognised, of which the typical Amphishcena (436) contains the 

 greatest number of species. Amphisbtenas lead an underground 

 burrowing existence, like worms ; and are often found in ants' nests 

 and refuse heaps. Their movements are worm-like, the soft, ringed 

 skin enabling them to move with equal facility in either direction. 

 Unlike other limbless Lizards and Snakes, which move in lateral 

 undulations, Amphisbfciias crawl in a straight line with slight 

 vertical folds of the body. All ai'e Tropical American. 



The common English Lizard and its allies are the types of a family Case 20. 

 {Lacerfidce, 440-445) characterised as follows : The teeth are pleuro- 

 dont, i.e. attached to the inner side of the margin of the jaws ; the 

 long tongue is forked, with either tubercles or folds ; there are bony 

 plates on the head : and the temporal region of the skull is roofed 



Fig. 36. 



,p.Yir|*«krJ- 



ffl.B:pUT//an) 



The Eyed Lizard (Laccrta occUata) ; J nat. size. (No. 441 •) 



with bone. The family is restricted to the Old World and includes 

 less than a score of genera. The most familiar forms of the typical 



T) 2 



