394 



LIZARDS. 



The Gaily wasp of the West Indies (Celestus occiduus] feeds on 

 fruits. 



tlG. 326. G ALLY WASP. 



The Monitors (Varauidse) have a protrusile, sheathed, and forked 

 tongue, and are covered with tubercle-like scales, arranged in 

 rings or circular bands round the body and tail. Their name 

 is derived from the Latin word moneo, to warn, these animals being 

 believed to give warning of the approach of the crocodile. They 

 are found only in the warmer parts of Africa and Asia. They 

 live near the banks of rivers, and some are aquatic in their habits. 

 They often devour the eggs of crocodiles and aquatic birds, even 

 small fishes, lizards, and tortoises fall victims to their voracity. 



The Guanas (Iguana} belong to the New World. Their teeth 

 are of remarkable structure, and crenated round the edge. Most 

 of them live on trees, which they climb by means of their long 

 hooked claws, in search of fruits and leaves, that form their prin- 

 cipal sustenance. The flesh of the common Guana is in good esti- 

 mation as an article of food. 



The Geckos (Gecko}. All the preceding families are active by 

 day, but the Geckos are nocturnal in their habits. They arc 

 rather clumsy and stoutly built, of dull lurid colours, with great 

 eyes, the pupils of which contract to a line, like those of the cat. 

 The structure of their toes is very remarkable ; their imder-snr- 

 face is expanded into broad flaps, furnished with parallel plates 

 that overlap each other (Fig, 327) ; by means of these they are 

 enabled to cling to perpendicular surfaces, or even to walk sus- 

 pended from the ceiling like the house-fly. They utter unmusical 

 cries by night, which have been thought to resemble the word 

 geeko, whence their name. 



