THE TRUE LIZARDS 



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sixty-six scales round the middle of the body, this lizard is distinguished by the 

 general presence of two small superimposed scales behind each nostril, the small 

 size and triangular form of the occipital shield, and the arrangement of the abdomi- 

 nal scales in six longitudinal rows, the collar being serrated. Usually the nostrils 

 are in contact with the front or rostral shield of the head, and in the female and 

 young the foot is longer than the head. As regards color, the males, which may 

 be distinguished from the females by the larger and higher head, the thickened 

 root of the tail, stouter hind-limbs, and generally superior size, are some shade of 

 green olive, passing below into yellow. Black dots, passing into large spots, gen- 



GREEN LIZARDS. 

 (Two-thirds natural size.) 



erally adorn the upper surface, whereas the under parts, save for a blue patch on 

 the chin and throat, are uniform. The females, in which the blue on the throat is 

 less constantly present, have a more brownish tinge, with the sides ornamented 

 with black-bordered yellowish spots. The young are generally leather brown in 

 color, with one or two yellow side stripes. Both sexes vary, however, considerably 

 according to age; and southern specimens are more brilliantly colored than those 

 from the north. 



The green lizard is an inhabitant of the countries lying to the east and north 

 of the Mediterranean, and thence extending eastward to Persia. Very common in 



