16 THE STORY OF REPTILE LIFE. 



a larger head and a stronger nuchal crest. Of a 

 dark olive green, with small spots of white on 

 the sides, the general appearance of the animal 

 is sober enough. It is enlivened, however, by a 

 row of pointed and slightly erectile spines along 

 the ridge of the back and extending on to the 

 tail. The under surface is clothed in moderately 

 large scales, whilst those on the sides are so small 

 as to give a granular appearance. The eye is 

 large and has a vertical pupil. The tail is thick 

 and compressed, and like that of many lizards, and 

 at least one species of mammal a mouse, which 

 occurs in the island of Cyprus is easily shed. 

 This is an ingenious device which enables the 

 owner to escape when seized by this organ. 

 Among the lizards at least, when threatened, 

 the tail is temptingly paraded, when, as soon 

 as it is grasped, the creature makes a dash for 

 liberty, the tail becoming detached with the 

 slightest shock. The lost appendage is speedily 

 renewed, and with it a new chance of escape 

 from unpleasantly close encounters is gained. 

 A similar regeneration does not, however, appear 

 to take place with the mouse in question. 



But perhaps more than on any other account 

 the Tuatera is celebrated for the presence of 

 a third eye seated in the middle of the roof 

 of the skull. It should be mentioned, however, 

 that this organ is now quite f unctionless and has 

 shrunk to quite insignificant proportions. It 

 is connected by a long stalk with what is known 

 as the pineal gland, an outgrowth of the " primary 

 fore-brain." Coming to the surface through a 

 special aperture in the skull, between the parietal 



