!36 



LIZAKDS, FROGS AND TOADS 



genus of small lizards, remarkable for the expansible cutaneous 

 processes with which the sides are furnished, and by whose 



means they are enabled to spring 

 with more facility from branch to 

 branch, and even to support them- 

 selves for some time in the air, like 

 the bat or flying-squirrel. The tiny 

 painted Dragon of the East, the 

 Flying Lizard of the woods, is fond 

 of clinging with its wings to the 

 smooth trunks of trees, and there 

 remaining immovable, basking in the 

 sun. When disturbed, it leaps and 

 shuffles away in an awkward manner. One Mr. Adams had in 

 his possession, reminded him of a bat when placed on the 

 ground. Sometimes the strange creature would feign death, 

 and remain perfectly motionless, drooping its head, and doubling 

 its limbs, until it fancied the danger over, then cautiously 

 raising its crouching form, it would look stealthily around, 

 and be off in a moment. The dragon consumes flies in a slow 

 and deliberate manner, sw^allowing them gTadually ; its various 

 species belong exclusively to India and the islands of the 

 Eastern Archipelago. 



Who has not heard of the fatal glance of the basilisk, which, 

 according to poetical fancy, obliged all other poisonous animals 

 to keep at a respectful distance 



" from monster more abhorr'd than they ? " 



The truth is, that the lizards that bear this dreaded name, which 

 has been given them from the fanciful resemblance of their 



pointed occipital crest to a regal 

 crown, are quite as harmless and in- 

 offensive as the flying dragon. 

 They are chiefly inhabitants of South 

 America, where they generally lead 

 a sylvan life, feeding on insects. 



Among the lizards of every size, 



colour, and variety of form with which 



tlie warmer regions of the globe abound, from the size of a span 



to tliat of a cubit, dull brown or clothed in a livery of vivid 



Basilisk. 



