LIZARDS. 389 



LIZARDS (Sauria}* 



The Saurian Reptiles might almost be described as 

 serpents supported upon legs ; indeed, in some of the 

 genera the resemblance to serpents is so great that 

 they might easily be mistaken for those animals. In 

 general, however, the legs are sufficiently developed 

 to be used as the principal instruments of locomotion ; 

 They are then four in number, and the toes are 

 armed with claws. Their skin is covered either with 

 scales or with granulations ; but in other respects 

 they are most variously constructed, as will be seen 

 by inspecting the tabular view of their classifica- 

 tion in the following page : 



* (ratios, sauros, a lizard. 



