2526 



SCALED REPTILES 



above the shoulder, sometimes followed by one or two behind, while the under 

 parts are whitish. Abundant in Algeria and the neighborhood of Montpellier this 

 lizard is found in the former region both in hedges and on limestone rocks, whereas 

 in France it frequents hedges alone. Preferring dry, open, and warm districts, and 

 thriving well in captivity, it presents nothing specially noteworthy as regards its 

 habits. 



The fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus} , of which there are ten 

 species ranging from Southern Spain and Portugal, and Northern Af- 

 rica through Southwestern Asia to the Punjab, differ from the pre- 

 ceding group by the toes being both fringed on the sides and keeled below; a more 



COMMON FRINGE-TOED LIZARDS. 

 (Natural size. ) 



or less distinct collar occurring on the throat. On the head, the occipital shield is 

 wanting, and the nostrils are pierced between one labial and two nasal shields. 

 Pores are present on the thigh, and the tail is nearly cylindrical. The common 

 fringe-toed lizard (A. vulgaris} is a species of from four and one-half to four and 

 three-fourths inches in length, agreeing with most of its kindred in having the 

 hinder scales of the back but little enlarged, and specially characterized by the 

 strong keeling of the scales on the upper surface of the tail, and the slight pectina- 

 tion of the toes. It is represented by two varieties, one occurring in Spain and 

 Portugal, and rarely in the south of France, characterized by the smooth or slightly- 

 keeled scales of the back, and an African form in which these scales are very strongly 



