176 REPTILIA. 



The second section of the Iguanian family, that of the IGUANIANS proper, 

 is distinguished from the first by having teeth in the palate. 



IGUANA, Ctivier. 



In Iguarue, properly so called, the body and tail are covered with small imbri- 

 cated scales ; along the entire length of the back is a range of spines, or rather 

 of recurved, compressed, and pointed scales ; beneath the throat a pendent 

 compressed dewlap, the edge of which is supported by a cartilaginous process 

 of the hyoid bone ; a series of porous tubercles on their thighs as in the true 

 lizards; the head covered with plates. Each jaw is surrounded with a row 

 of compressed triangular teeth, whose cutting edge is denticulate ; two small 

 rows of the same on the posterior edge of the palate. 



Ig.tuberculata,l^axa. (The Common American Iguana.) Yellowish green 

 above, marbled with pure green ; the tail annulated with brown, &c. ; from 

 four to five feet in length, and common in South America, where its flesh is 

 esteemed delicious, although unwholesome. It lives mostly on trees, occa- 

 sionally visits the water, and feeds on fruit, grain, and leaves ; the female lays 

 her eggs in the sand ; they are the size of those of a pigeon, agreeable to the 

 taste, and almost without white. 



The remaining genera are Ophyressa, Basiliscus, Po/ychrus, Echphimotux, 

 Opiums, and Anolius, the last of wlu'ch is remarkable for the skin of the 

 toes, which is spread out into a disk, that enables them to cling to various 

 surfaces. 



It is to this family of the Iguanae with palatine teeth, that belongs an 

 enormous fossil reptile, known by the name of the Maestricht Animal, and 

 for which the new name of MOSASAURUS has recently been coined. 



FAMILY IV. 



GECKOTIDA. 



THIS family is composed of nocturnal Lizards, which are so similar, that 

 they may be left in one genus. 



GECKO, Daudin*. ASKALABOTES, Cuvier. 



The Geckos are Saurians, which do not possess the elongated graceful form 

 of those of which we have hitherto spoken ; but, on the contrary, are flattened, 

 the head particularly. Their feet are moderate, and the toes almost equal ; 



* Gecko, a name given to a species in India, in imitation of its cry. just as another one 

 i termed Tockaie at Siam, and a third Geitje at the Cape ; axaXa?<vrr, the Greek 

 name of the Geckotte Lacepede. 



