488 SAURIANS. 



Pliny and others of the ancients, under the name of Stellio, (Lat. 

 a newt, or an animal having star-like spots upon its back.) 



The BANDED GECKO, Diplodactylus, (Gr. diploos, double ; 

 dactulos, finger,) vittalus, (Lat. banded or filleted,) is a singu- 

 lar species, found in Australia. 



The LEAF-TAILED GECKO, Phyllurus (Gr. phullon, a leaf; 

 oura, tail,) platurus, (Gr. plains, broad ; oura, tail,) is a curious 

 New Holland species, first described by Dr. Shaw, having a 

 tail which is flattened horizontally in the shape of a leaf. 



The WALL GECKO, Platydactylus, (Gr. broad-fingered,) mura- 

 lis, (Lat. of a wall,) is a species common in southern Europe, 

 where it attracts attention by its power of ascending smooth per- 

 pendicular walls. * It is this species which is called by the Ital- 

 ians, Tarantola, or Tarantula. 



The LEAF-FINGERED GECKO, Phyllodactyla. (Gr. leaf-fingered,) 

 tuberculosus, (Lat. pimpled or tuberculated,) is found in Cali- 

 fornia. 



The SMOOTH GECKO, G. lams, (Lat. smooth.) or Platydactulus 

 theconyx, (Gr. theke, a bag or sheath ; onux, a nail,) is a native of 

 South America and the Caribbee Islands. Specimens of this spe- 

 cies, in which the tail has been broken off and replaced by another 

 of imperfect growth, are seen in cabinets. 



FOURTH FAMILY. Iguanida. The IGUANAS, or Thick-tongued 

 Lizards. 



These form a very numerous group of reptiles, of which the 



mus Iguana, (aboriginal name,) may be considered the type, 

 he whole have been comprised, (see Chart.) in forty-six genera 

 and one hundred and fifty species. Further discoveries, together 

 with modifications of former classifications, have increased the 

 number of genera to over fifty. Of the entire number of spe- 

 cies belonging to this family, about one hundred are natives of 

 America. North America possesses a considerable number, but 

 not more than three species are found within the limits of the 

 United States. 



In all the genera of the Iguanas, the body is covered with 

 horny plates or scales, often keeled, spinous or tuberculated, but 

 never investing bony centres'or rings. Nearly all have a horny 

 ridge or crest along the middle of the back and tail. The teeth 

 vary in their mode of attachment, but are never rooted or fixed 

 in sockets. The tongue is of moderate size and free at the ex- 

 tremity only; it is thick, fleshy and spongy or velvety on its sur- 



