SAURLANS. 491 



ralists, is not to be confounded with the Malignant Basilisk, or 

 serpent of the African deserts, pictured by the fancy of poets, 

 whose very glance the ancients believed to be fatal to all who 

 came within its influence. The true Basilisk or Cockatrice is, 

 notwithstanding its formidable appearance, a perfectly harmless 

 reptile, possessing great activity and seeking its insect food among 

 the trees. 



IV. Amblyrhyncus, (Gr. aniblus, blunt ; rJiunchos, a beak or 

 muzzle,) is an anomalous genus found in the volcanic Galapa- 

 gos islands, so noted for their peculiar forms. The head is 

 short and has a blunt muzzle ; the scales of the body are not 

 tuberculated ; the skin of the throat is dilatable, but not formed 

 into a dewlap ; a high crest appears upon the back and tail. 

 Two species are found in the Galapagos islands, one terrestrial 

 and burrowing under ground, A. subcristatus, (Lat. somewhat 

 crested ;) the other marine, A. cristatus, (Lat. crested,) living 

 exclusively on the rock-bound sea, feeding on sea-weed, and sel- 

 dom found at much distance from the shore. "It is of a dirty 

 black color ; stupid and sluggish in its movements. The limbs 

 and strong claws are admirably adapted for crawling over the 

 rugged and fissured masses of lava which every where form the 

 coast ; on the black rocks, six or seven of these hideous reptiles 

 may oftentimes be seen basking in the sun." (Darwin's " Voy- 

 ages of the Adventure and the Beagle.") 



V. Tropidolepis, (Gr. tropis, a keel ; lepis, a scale.) is a ge- 

 nus confined to North America, and embracing ten species. The 

 Lizards which it includes have rough carinated (keel-like) scales 

 on the back and sides, while those of the other parts are imbri- 

 cated. The body is depressed and oblong in shape ; the head 

 short, depressed and rounded in front ; the neck contracted and 

 smooth beneath ; the thighs have a series of distinct pores, but 

 there is no crest either on the back or -tail. 



The Brown Swift, T. undulatus, (Lat. varied with waves,) is 

 found within the Atlantic states as far north as New York, and 

 also in the Western States. It is often seen running along fences 

 or among trees, particularly in hilly or sandy districts, abounding 

 in pine trees, among which it seeks its insect food ; and hence 

 is called the Pine or Fence Lizard. This little creature, from 

 five to eight inches lonor, is venomous in its aspect, but really 

 harmless. Like the Chameleon, it changes its color. It is 

 very active, and therefore called Swift. 



VI. Phrynosoma, (Gr. phrunos, a toad ; soma, body.) (Hoi- 

 brook.) 



The genus Agama formerly included both Tropidolepis and 



