SAUROPHIS. Sfiurophis tetraddctylut. 



As is the case with most of these Lizards, there is considerable variation of colouring, 

 but in general the upper surface is dark brown, and the sides of the head, the throat and 

 front of the fore limbs are bright scarlet. Along the back run four yellow lines, of which 

 the two central only extend as far as the hind legs, whereas the two outer streaks are 

 continued to the extremity of the tail. It is not a large species, being about ten or 

 eleven inches in length. 



THE generic name SAUKOPHIS, which is given to the reptile next in order, is of Greek 

 origin and signifies Lizard-Snake, in allusion to the very serpentine aspect of its body. 



This singular creature inhabits Southern Africa, and at first sight might be easily 

 mistaken for a serpent as it crawls about the ground, its four tiny limbs being far too weak 

 to render it any great assistance in progression, which is achieved, as in the serpents, by 

 continual movement of the projecting edges of the scales. Very little is known of 

 its habits. 



The head of this reptile is of a somewhat pyramidal shape and covered with shields, 

 as are both temples. The scales of the back are slightly grooved and a small keel runs 

 across their length ; they are regularly arranged in fourteen series. On the abdomen, the 

 shields are in six rows. There are four very small and feeble limbs, each of which is 

 furnished with four little short and compressed toes, with rather long claws at their 

 extremities. The body is long and cylindrical, and a decided groove runs along each side. 

 Its colour is tawny brown, each scale being of a deeper hue at its edge, so as to give a 

 slightly mottled appearance to the creature. The legs and lower edge of the temple are 

 white, spotted with little dots of black. 



ON account of the great rapidity of its movements, the reptile represented in the 

 accompanying illustration has received the appropriate title of TACHYDKOME, a name 

 derived from the Greek, and signifying a swift runner. 



This pretty little Lizard is an Asiatic animal, being mostly found in China, Cochin 

 China, and Java. Although its limbs are much larger and more powerful in proportion 

 to the size of the body than those of the preceding species, its tail is of such great 

 comparative length and so slender in its proportions, that, quick as is the creature 

 in all its movements, it has much of a serpentine aspect. The tail indeed is longer in 

 proportion to the body than is the case with any other of the order, being three times the 

 length of the body and head, and tapers from the body like the thong of a whip from 

 its handle. 



