278 ZOOLOGY. 



one, A. caroUiie)isis^ is very abundant in the United States, where it is 

 known as the green lizard or chameleon. It is an exceedingly beautiful 

 animal, of a light golden green aboA e, and greenish white beneath ; the 

 gular pouch, when inflated with air, is of a vermilion color. It keeps 

 about gardens, and frequently enters the windows of houses in search of 

 flies ; climbs trees with ease, and is even capable of walking over glass by 

 means of the disks of the toes. Basiliscus (/;/. 74, fig. 74) exhibits curious 

 appendages in the form of a vertical fold of skin on the occiput, and a high 

 (;rest on the back and tail, which, in the male, is supported by osseous 

 appendages. The absence of femoral pores, and the palatine teeth, distin- 

 guish it from other genera with crests. Of the two species known, both 

 inhabiting jSIexico and the regions south, one {B. niitratiis) is represented 

 in pL 89, fig. 5. Amblyrhynchn.'i is an anomalous genus first detected in 

 the Gallapagos Islands. This volcanic group, so remarkable for its peculiar 

 fauna, is said to contain two species of the genus : one terrestrial and 

 burrowing under ground, the other living in salt water and feeding on 

 seaweeds. The genus Iguana {pi. 74, fig. 75) is distinguished by the long 

 flap or fold of skin under the throat ; two series of palatine teeth ; the long 

 compressed tail, and the dentated crest along the back. A well known 

 species, inhabiting South America, is the Iguana tuherculata (pi. 89, fig. 6). 

 The genus Tropidolepis, with ten species, is interesting on account of 

 being confined to North America. Only one species, however, comes 

 within the limits of the Atlantic States, the rest belonging to Mexico and 

 Oalifornia. The species just referred to, T. amlulatus, is the common grey 

 or brown lizard, seen so commonly running along fences or among trees, 

 especially in hilly or sandy districts abounding in pine trees. The males 

 have an a/AU-e blue cross on the belly. There are no crests or other 

 appendages in this genus, only a roughness of the scales. The pine or 

 fence lizard, as it is sometimes called, is entirely inoffensive. The closely 

 allied genus Phri/nosonia is also North American. Several species inhabit 

 the sandy or sterile plains of Texas, Mexico, and California. The short, 

 squat, nearly orbicular body, the weak limbs, the long spines fringing the 

 occiput, and the shorter ones scattered <jver the back, give the animal 

 quite a curious appearance. The two most abundant species, P. cornuta 

 and P. orbicular e, are known as the Mexican or horned frog, although 

 there is nothing frog-like in their appearance. They feed upon insects, 

 wliich they capture by stealing imperceptibly upon them ; and they have 

 the curious habit of feigning death. Avhcn handled, or even approached. 

 PL %%,fig. G, represents the latter of the species just mentioned. 



The second sub-family, that of the Acrodontes. embraces species whose 

 teeth are applied by their bases, and intimately united to the jaws. The 

 anterior teeth differ in shape from the posterior. There are no palatine 

 teeth. All the species belong to the Old World. Lophyrus {pi. 88, fig. 6) 

 is a curious genus, inhabiting Asia and Africa. In Draco {pi. 74, fig. 76) 

 the skin of the sides is extended out in the form of a wing supported by the 

 prolonged ribs. By this means — which much resembles the flying appa- 

 ratus of Ptcromys. or the flying-squirrel, excepting that in the latter the 

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