SAURIA. 183 



chant crest, which extends along 1 a part of the tail, and which is supported 

 by high spinous apophyses of the vertebra; this crest is scaly like the rest 

 of the body; the scales on the belly and tail are small, and approach some- 

 what to a square form; the teeth are strong-, compressed, and without den- 

 ticulations: there are none in the palate: there is a series of femoral pores. 

 The skin of the throat is smooth and lax, but without forming 1 a dewlap. 



DRACO, L.(l) 



The Dragons are distinguished at the first glance, from all other Saurians, 

 by their first six false ribs, which, instead of encircling the abdomen, extend 

 outwards in a straight line, and support a production of the skin, forming 

 a kind of wing that may be compared to that of a Bat, but which is not 

 connected with the four feet; it acts like a parachute in supporting them, 

 when they leap from one branch to another, but has not sufficient power 

 to enable them to rise like a Bird. They are small animals, completely in- 

 vested with little imbricated scales, of which those on the tail and limbs are 

 carinated. Their tongue is fleshy", but slightly extensible, and somewhat 

 emarginate. A long pointed dewlap hangs under their throat. 

 All the known species are from the East Indies. 



It is perhaps to this tribe of Agamians that we should approxi- 

 mate a very extraordinary reptile which is only to be found among 

 the fossils of the old Jura limestone formation. 



PTEBODACTYLTJS, Cuv. 



It had a short tail, an extremely long neck, and a very large head; the 

 jaws armed with equal and pointed teeth; but its chief character consisted 

 in the excessive elongation of the second toe of the fore-foot, which was 

 more than double the length of the trunk, and most probably served to 

 support some membrane which enabled the animal to fly, like that upheld 

 by the ribs of the Dragon. 



The second section of the Iguanian family, that of the IGUANIANS 

 proper, is distinguished from the first by having teeth in the palate. 



IGUANA, Cuv. 



In Iguana, properly so called, the body and tail are covered with small im- 

 bricated scales; along the entire length of the back is a range of spines, or 



(1) The term fpa.x.uv, draco, generally designated a large Serpent; Dragons, 

 with a crest or beard, are spoken of by ancient writers, a description which 

 can only apply to the Iguana,- Lucian is the first who mentions Flying 

 Dragons, alluding, no doubt, to the pretended Flying Serpents treated of 

 by Herodotus. St Augustine, and other subsequent authors, ever after de- 

 scribed Dragons as having wings. 



