THE CKESTED ANOLIS. 



HAVING kept some of these beautiful little lizards 

 for a considerable time, I am tempted to give a short 

 description of their habits, which I hope will not 

 prove uninteresting to your readers. The crested 

 anolis (Anolis cristatus) belongs to a genus found 

 in the West Indies and South America, and derives 

 its name from the membranous crest that rises from 

 the nape of the neck, and runs down the back. 

 This appendage can be elevated or depressed at will, 

 and when erected gives the reptile a very singular 

 aspect, as shown in the sketch. The upper edge of 

 the tail is also furnished with a kind of fin, 

 strengthened at intervals by bony rays ; from this 

 circumstance, the name of Xiphosaurus (sword-tail) 

 has been applied to the anolis by some authors. 

 This crest on the back and tail only exists in the 

 male, the female having no trace on either. She is 

 also much smaller than her mate, seldom measuring 

 more than four or five inches in total length, while 



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