35$ THE LIZARD KIND. 



trees, from which it descends with a very awkward mo- 

 tion, securing itself from falling by clinging round 

 them with its tail. Many have supposed that it lived 

 entirely upon suction, or rather by drawing in large quan- 

 tities of air ; but, though it seems invigorated by in- 

 haling that element, yet it may frequently be observed 

 catching flies. The tongue, which it uses as the in-' 

 strument of their destruction, is nearly equal to the 

 whole body in length ; the eyes are small, though very 

 shining, and placed very prominently in the bead ; but 

 what appears a phenomenon in them, they are capable 

 of being directed different ways. 



To the class of lizards we may add the flying one of 

 Java, which may frequently be seen perching upon dif- 

 ferent trees, from each of which they will fly with ra- 

 pidity ; and upon flies, ants, and butterflies, it indis- 

 criminately feeds. The flying lizard is about a foot in 

 length : the wings resemble those of the flying fish ; 

 they have four paws like the common lizards, and a 

 variety of beautiful colours are displayed upon the skin; 

 about the neck are a sort of wattles, not unlike those 

 which are found upon the cock. 



The last animal of the lizard kind to be mentioned is, 

 the chalcidian lizard of Aldrovanus, which modern his- 

 torians have termed the sepo : this creature seems to 

 form the shade which separates them from the serpent, 

 for it has a long slender body, and very short legs ; 

 these seem rather like useless incumbrances than as in- 

 struments to promote the animal's speed, for the two 

 fore ones are placed near the head, and the hind ones 

 so backward that they are scarcely to be seen ; the 

 head is large, the snout pointed, and the whole body 

 is covered with scales. 



