506 M. F. Sumichrast on the Habits of some Mexican Reptiles. 



sagittal crest,. which becomes cartilaginous at its extremity; 

 whilst in Corythophanes it is formed entirely by an abnormal 

 expansion of the bones of the cranium. The facies of the species 

 under consideration also presents some features of resemblance 

 to that of the African Chameleon, which led Hernandez to give 

 it the name of Chamaleo mexicanus. 



The colours of the Corythophanes do not present those brilliant 

 green, yellow, or reddish tints which are observable in the coat 

 of the Basilisk, but a mixture of brown, fulvous, black, and 

 white, which, however, is not unpleasing. I have observed that 

 these tints are not indifferent to the action of light : one of 

 these reptiles, which I kept alive for more than a month, pre- 

 sented this peculiarity : — its throat, which was white during the 

 day, acquired a darker tint at night, as did also all the lighter 

 regions of the body. Although very lively by nature, this little 

 animal allowed itself to be taken and caressed. If I passed my 

 hand several times over the flank, it lay down immediately as if 

 magnetized by this touching. If I repeated the same manoeuvre 

 upon the belly, it crossed its fore feet in the attitude of prayer, 

 and fell into a state of perfect immobility. It became so tame 

 that it would run towards me to take fi'om my hand the flies 

 and other insects of which it was fond. 



The Corythophanes is not a shore animal, like the Iguanas and 

 the Basilisks. It lives scarcely anywhere but in the woods 

 among the rocks, and delights especially in the oak-forests, 

 where the sombre coloration of its body, which harmonizes with 

 that of the dry leaves, enables it to make successful ambuscades 

 for the capture of the insects which constitute its prey. It is 

 exceedingly active, and, when it can take to flight, its capture, 

 except by shooting it, becomes very difiicult. In running, it 

 raises the front of the body almost vertically, at the same time 

 lashing the ground with its tail, by which its appearance at 

 such times is rendered very singular. 



The credulity of the Indians has not failed to ascribe extra- 

 ordinary qualities to this little creature, which is at once so 

 pretty and so odd. At the same time that they greatly dread 

 the inoffensive pricking of the spines which are observed on the 

 sides of its head, they extol the virtues of its body, when dried 

 and carried as an amulet, against the evil eye [el aire) and that 

 multitude of supernatural ills which are born of their sombre 

 and superstitious imaginations. 



The Corythophanes are nowhere common ; but the species 

 which forms the subject of this note inhabits both slopes of the 

 Cordillera at very distant points. Thus I have met with it near 

 the Haciendas of the Mirador and the Potrero (in the depart- 

 ment of Vera Cruz), in the grottoes of the Cerro de Santo Do- 



