562 FAMILY AMEIVID.E. LACERTID^E. 



any other group, must have been more than twenty-five feet in 

 length. Its residence was in the sea; and its habits seem to 

 have been exclusively aquatic. Even this was but a pigmy, 

 however, in comparison with the Megalosaurus ; which, from 

 the scanty remains of it yet discovered, may be proved to have 

 been at least seventy feet in length, equalling the Elephant in 

 height, and approaching the largest Whales in bulk. 



499. The family of AMEIVID^E, or Teguexins, which is ex- 

 clusively American, is closely allied to the preceding ; it contains 

 some large Lizards, which have been termed Safeguards and 

 Monitors, from the idea that they give warning by a hiss of the 

 proximity of the Alligator, which has also been supposed, 

 though erroneously, respecting the Varans and Crocodiles. In 

 their general habits, they much resemble the Varans. The 

 Teguexin is a very large Lizard, measuring sometimes six feet 

 in length. It inhabits Brazil and Guiana, and feeds upon vari- 

 ous small animals, and also upon eggs. Its flesh is esteemed a 

 great delicacy, but its capture is often attended with difficulty, 

 as it runs swiftly when pursued, and when brought to bay fights 

 fiercely for its life. 



500. The LACERTIDJE, or True Lizards, are bright-eyed, 

 active, slender little animals, adorned with brilliant colours, and 

 having nothing repulsive in their aspect or manners. They are 

 covered above with small imbricated scales ; and below with 

 larger plates. The tongue is long and forked; and there are 

 generally small teeth on the palate. To this group, which is 

 peculiar to the Old World, and most abundant in Southern 

 Europe and Western Asia, belong the only two species of 

 Sanrians that inhabit our own country, the Viviparous Lizard 

 and the Sand Lizard. The former derives its name from the 

 circumstance, that the eggs are hatched before leaving the 

 oviduct of the female ; so that the young are produced alive. 

 It frequents thickets, heaths, and sunny banks ; and several are 

 often seen in such situations basking in the summer's sun, and 

 watching for their insect prey. The females in particular 

 expose themselves to as much external warmth as possible, 

 during the time that the incubation of the eggs is going on 



