THE STORY OF THE LIZARD. 



In tliis country there are many harmless species of hzard, but in the 

 Rocky Mountain region are found some that are exceedingly poisonous. The 

 desert lizard, which ranges from, Central America tO' Arizona and New 

 "Mexico, is the only one that has a deadly sting. The fairy-like teeth have 

 grooves for the transmission of the fluid similar tO' the cobra. 



The lizards are usually active, bright-eyed little creatures, delighting to 

 bask in the sun, near some safe retreat, to which they dart with astonishing 

 celerity upon the slightest alarm. Two species of lizards are found in the 

 eastern and central states — the common lizard and the sand lizard. The 

 latter animal is considerably larger than the common lizard, as it sometimes 

 measures a foot in length. It frequents sandy heaths, and in the sand its 

 eggs are deposited, fourteen or fifteen in number. The eggs are hatched by 

 the heat of the sun, and the young immediately lead an independent life. Dur- 

 ing the winter this as well as the common lizard hibernates in a burrow 

 usually made under the roots of a tree, nor does it again make its appearance 

 until the spring. 



The common lizard is only six inches in length. It is more active than 

 the sand lizard, disappearing like magic on being alarmed. When seized, its 

 tail frecjuently snaps off like grass. 



The heart in man and the higher animals is divided into^ a double set of 

 compartments, technically termed auricles and ventricles, each set having no' 



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