TEID. 105 
trees, but range the hot sandy plains or the dense and damp under- 
wood on the margins of lakes and rivers, into which they plunge when 
alarmed, and remain below the surface until the danger has passed 
away, their capacious lungs and peculiar circulation permitting them 
to endure a long immersion without inconvenience. 
The Ameivas have a long whip-like tail, and peculiarly elongated 
toes on their hind feet. The species of Ameiva and Cnemidophorius 
are numerous, and the genera Decrodon and Acrantus are founded 
each of them upon a single species. In general these are Lizards 
which correspond with the ordinary Lacerta’ of the Old World. 
One species only, Cuemidophorus sex-lineatus, inhabits the Southern 
States of North America ; there are at least four others in Mexico ; 
and the rest belong to South America and the Antilles. “The 
Ameiva dorsalis,” writes Mr. Gosse, ‘‘is one of the most common of 
the reptiles of Jamaica, and is as beautiful as abundant. Its colours 
are striking, but not showy, and its countenance has a very meek 
expression. All its motions are elegant and sprightly; when it is 
proceeding deliberately, its body is thrown into latent curves the 
most graceful imaginable; but when alarmed, its swiftness is so 
excessive that it appears as if it literally 7ezw over the ground, and 
the observer can scarcely persuade himself that it is not a bird. 
It is very timid, and though its toes are not formed, as in the Geckos 
and Anoles, for holding on against gravity, I have seen a large Ameiva 
run with facility on the side of a dry wall, along the perpendicular 
surfaces of the large stones.” 
A second series occurs in those Zeidée which have a collar of large 
shields on the throat. As many as five genera of them have been 
established, each upon a single species, and are all from intertropical 
America. In Crocodilurus la.ertinus the two rows of crests along 
the tail recall to mind the Crocodiles, hence the name bestowed. 
Others have been styled dragons, as the Great Dragon, Ada guianensis, 
and the Smaller Dragon, Custa bicarinata. All bear a certain amount 
of superficial resemblance to the Crocodiles, and the Great Dragon 
grows to six feet in length, and is found in many parts of South 
America. ‘This large reptile runs up the trunks of trees with facility, 
Ig quick when on the ground, and it also swims well. It preys upon 
small animals, and chiefly frequents inundated savannahs and marshy 
localities, where it is seen basking in the sunshine. ‘There is con- 
siderable difficulty in capturing this Lizard, as, if alarmed, it rushes for 
its burrow, and bites desperately in self-defence. Its flesh is eaten, 
and is considered a delicacy. Its eggs, also, of which each female 
lays some dozens, are much esteemed. ~ 
ale 
