2502 



SCALED REPTILES 



is found locally in sandy districts both on the plains and mountains, and is in some 

 places abundant, although from its coloration frequently escaping notice. In spite 

 of its somewhat formidable appearance, it is a harmless creature, not attempting to 

 bite even when captured. Lacking the protrusive tongue of the chamaeleon, and 

 being debarred by its clumsy form from running fast, the horned lizard is unable to 

 capture the swifter insects, and consequently preys upon sand-haunting beetles, 

 whose speed is inferior to its own, such prey being generally captured in the even- 

 ing, and the creature lying passive on the sand during the day. Some species of 

 horned lizards are remarkable as being the only members of the family, save one 

 other genus, which produce living young; the number of young being in some 

 instances as many as twenty-four. Always small feeders, these lizards are capable 



HORNED UZARD. 

 (Three-fourths natural size.) 



of undergoing long fasts with impunity; and as they are habituated to a dry 

 atmosphere, and probably never drink, they may be sent packed in wadding long 

 distances by post. 



The most remarkable peculiarity connected with these lizards is their habit of 

 ejecting jets of blood from the eyes, apparently as a means of defense. The follow- 

 ing letter from Mr. V. Bailey, written from California, in 1891, describes the phe- 

 nomenon as first observed by him: " I caught a horned toad to-day that very much 

 surprised Dr. Fisher and myself by squirting blood from its eyes. It was on 

 smooth ground, and not in brush or weeds. I caught it with my hand, and just 

 got my fingers on its tail as it ran. On taking it in my hand, a little jet of blood 

 spurted from one eye, a distance of fifteen inches, and spattered on my shoulder. 



