296 VERTEBRATES: REPTILES. 



The Genus Iguana has the body and tail covered with 

 small imbricated scales, the back furnished with a range 

 of spines, and throat with a pendent, compressed dewlap. 



The Common Iguana, Ig. tuberculata, of South Amer- 

 ica, is four to five feet long, greenish, the tail banded with 

 brown. It lives upon trees. Its flesh is used for food. 



The Genus Draco comprises the Dragons of the East 

 Indies. They have their first six false ribs extending out- 

 wards, and supporting a fold of skin, and thus forming a 

 .sort of wing which acts like a parachute in sustaining 

 them as they leap from one tree or branch to another; 

 but which does not enable them to truly fly. 



The Genus Anolius has the skin of the four external 

 toes developed beneath to form an oval disk ; the tail is 

 cylindrical and very long. 



The Green Lizard, A. carolinensis, Cuv., of the South- 

 ern States, is six and three quarters inches long, golden 

 green above, and the abdomen greenish white. It is 

 very active, running up trees and moving from branch to 

 branch with swiftness. It is common about the garden 

 and buildings, frequently entering the houses, and some- 

 times moves over the tables and other furniture in search 

 of flies. It is able to walk upon the walls and ceilings, 

 and even upon the window-panes. 



The Genus Tropidolepis is represented by T. undulatus, 

 of the United States south of the forty-third parallel. 

 It is over seven inches long, grayish above with trans- 

 verse, undulating black bands, which have their posterior 

 margins marked with white. Below, on each side of the 

 abdomen, is a band of green, surrounded with black ; and 

 a light central band forms a cross with a similarly colored 

 transverse band between the anterior extremities. It in- 

 habits pine-forests, runs to the tops of the tallest trees, 

 and feeds upon insects. 



The Genus Phrynosoma Horned Toads has the 



