576 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



Phett tj ff. P. DanJn, F.Z.S. 



ARIZONA HELODERM (POISONOUS LIZARD) 



In the tuarted texture of its skin-surface the hdoderm differs conspicuously from other 



lizards 



retrograde forms in which the hinder 

 limbs are entirely absent or the front 

 ones reduced to mere stumps. These 

 exceptional instances pave the way to 

 the family of the Amphisbaenas, in 

 which such or a still lower phase 

 of limb development represents the 

 normal condition. The Amphisbaenas 

 are remarkable for their worm-like re- 

 semblance, and for the circumstances 

 that they live like earth-worms in bur- 

 rows, that their eyes are functionless 

 (being concealed beneath the skin), 

 and that they are without ears. Other 

 details of structure indicate a most 

 rudimentary condition of develop- 

 ment, and they consequently rank as 

 the lowest group in the Lizard series. 

 Another peculiarity of the Amphisbaenas is that, in place of scales, the skin of the body is 

 divided into square segments, which form symmetrical rings like those of worms. In addition 

 to this, these retrograde lizards possess the worm-like faculty of being able to move backwards 

 and forwards in their burrows with equal facility. It is from this peculiar property that their 

 title of Amphisbsena, signifying " moving both ways," is derived. The representatives of this 

 family, including between sixty and seventy species, are widely distributed, being found in 

 America, the West Indies, Africa, and also European countries that border the Mediterranean 



While the Teguexins present resemblances in one direction with the Amphisbaenas, or 

 Worm-like Lizards, the higher or Monitor-like forms have much in common with the Typical 

 or True Lizards, of which two small but well-known species the SAND- and VIVIPAROUS 

 LIZARD are indigenous to the British Isles. All the members of the True Lizards, num- 

 bering some hundred species, are inhabitants of the Old World, becoming scarce, however, 

 towards the far east of the Asiatic Continent. All possess shapely bodies and well-developed 

 limbs with five-toed feet, and are remarkable for the extreme activity of their movements, 

 and in many cases brilliant colouring. 

 The varying individual shades of 

 the GREEN LIZARD'S brilliant emerald 

 body are almost infinite, no two being 

 quite precisely alike in this respect. 

 In some a yellower, in others a bluer 

 green predominates, while the females 

 and young are more or less mottled 

 or striped with brown. The under 

 surface of the body is usually a more 

 or less bright yellow, and the throat, 

 in the males more particularly, at the 

 breeding-season is frequently brilliant 

 blue. The more conspicuous colour 

 differences exhibited by this lizard 

 are, however, intimately associated 



with the local habitat of the particular 

 race. Those indigenous to Spain and 

 Portugal, for example, are more or 

 less ornamented with ocellated spots 



Photc by Scholastic Photo. Co. 



WHITE MONITOR 



Thh and other allied species appear to be dead as they lie basking in the sun 



