48 IGUANAS BASILISKS. ANOLIS. 



which inhabit India, realize to a certain extent the fable of flying 

 lizards, or serpents, spoken of by certain ancient writers ; but 



Fig. 12. 



DRAGON. 



the Dragons of zoologists, instead of being formidable animals, 

 like those of the poets, are of very small size, and only attack 

 insects. 



30. As examples of Iguanians with palatine teeth, we will 

 mention, IGUANAS PROPERLY so CALLED, BASILISKS, and ANOLIS. 

 The first are covered by small imbricated scales, and have a 

 crest of pointed scales along the back. There is also observed 

 beneath the throat, a pendent and compressed dew-lap. Several 

 species are known which inhabit America ; one, four or five feet 

 in length, is common in all the hot regions of the New World : 

 it lives mostly on trees and feeds on fruits, leaves, &c. Its flesh 

 is reputed delicate, but unwholesome. 



31. The BASILISKS, Basiliacus, have along the back and 

 tail, a continued, elevated crest, which is supported by the 

 spinous processes of the vertebrae ; they feed on grains, and 

 inhabit Guiana. 



32. The ANOLIS, rfnolius, which also belong to America, 

 are distinguished by the conformation of their toes, the antepe- 

 nultimate joint of which is furnished on the under part, with an 

 oval, striated disk, by the assistance of which these reptiles 

 cling to the surface upon which they climb. Many of them pos- 

 sess the power of changing the colour of their skin. 



To the family of Iguanas also belongs an enormous reptile, 

 called Mosasaurus, the fossil bones of which have been found at 

 Maestricht. 



30. What are Iguanas properly so called ? What are their habits ? 



31. What are Basilisks? 



32. How are the Anolis characterised ? 



