TE/DsE. IO5 



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 Cntmidophdrtn 

 are numerous, and the genera Dicrodon and Acrantus are founded 

 each of them upon a single species. In general these are Lizards 

 which correspond with the ordinary Lacertida of the Old World. 

 One species only, Cntmidophonts 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 flew 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 Teidte 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 lacertinus 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, 

 is 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. 

 78* 



