SAURIA. 25 



Monitor.* 



The tongue is capable of being thrust out, and ter- 

 minates in two threads : the toes, five on each foot, 

 are unwebbed, armed with nails, and very unequal in 

 length ; the scales beneath the body, and round the 

 tail, are arranged in parallel bands. They have two 

 teeth in each jaw, but none in the palate ; most of 

 them have the tail flattened, as in the Crocodiles. 

 They inhabit both continents, and are said to give 

 warning, by hissing, of the approach of the Croco- 

 dile, whence their name. They are frequently of large 

 size, but intermediate in this respect between the 

 last genus and the true Lizards. The Great Dragon 

 of Guiana (M. Crocodilinus) has some resemblance to 

 the genus after which it is named, having rigid scales 

 scattered along the back. It climbs trees with great 

 agility, runs with some speed, but swims badly. It 

 preys on reptiles, and other small animals, in the 

 marshes and flooded meadows of South America, 

 though it is not partial to absolute immersion in the 

 water. Its flesh is eaten ; but it is rather difficult to 

 procure it, for the animal burrows in the ground, 

 and bites desperately. Its length is six feet, so that 

 it is somewhat formidable. 



Lacerta^ the Lizards. 



This appellation, applied by Linnaeus to all the 

 Saurians, is now used to signify only those whose 



* Moneo, to warn. + Their ancient Latin name. 



VOL. II. C 



