SAURIA. 33 



Basiliscus,* the Basilisk. 



This is another name of renown. The worthy 

 Aldrovandus has favoured us with a veritable engrav- 

 ing of the royal reptile, with eight feet, a long and 

 hooked beak, and a crown upon his head ! It was 

 said to have the power of striking its victim dead at 

 a glance, and to chase all other animals from its 

 regal residence, by the terrific tones of its voice. 

 To add to its marvellous reputation, it proceeded 

 from the egg, forsooth, of a cock ! Of course there 

 is no more connexion between this fabled animal, 

 and the Saurian we are about to describe, than 

 between the Dragon of ancient fable and the little 

 winged reptile of Java. Naturalists have, however, 

 as in the former case, chosen to avail themselves of 

 a well-known name, and to apply it to a real animal, 

 which had been previously unknown. 



The Basilisk, then, is an Iguana with a tail flattened 

 sideways, a fin-like crest running down the middle of 

 the back, and a sort of elevated hood at the back of 

 the head. The single species known (B. Mitratus) 

 is of a bluish tint, attains a large size, inhabits South 

 America, and feeds on fruits. Little is known of 

 its habits, but, from its form, it is probably more or 

 less aquatic. 



o;, basilikos, kingly. 



c 5 



