60 THE MABOUYA. 



a store of poison to assume so resolute an aspect, retreats from the spot and leaves the 

 reptile in quiet possession of its abode. 



Happily for the Lizard, the belief in its venomous propensities is widely diffused and 

 deeply engrained in the popular mind, so that without having a single dangerous property 

 except that of undaunted courage when driven to bay, it has established a reputation for 

 ability to avenge itself when injured, which is of no less service to reptiles than men. Not 

 that it is wholly destitute of offensive weapons, for its teeth are strong and sharp, its feet 

 powerful, and its claws are sufficiently pointed to scratch rather deeply. 



The Scorpion Lizard is naturally a very timid and retiring creature, and on the 

 approach of danger slips quietly out of the way, wisely preferring flight to combat. But if 

 seized, the captor will have no small straggle before he can fairly secure his small but 

 determined quarry, for the creature bites so fiercely with its sharp teeth, retains its hold 

 with such bull-dog tenacity, and kicks and scratches with such hearty goodwill, that 

 the non-zoological populace may well be excused for thinking it to be venomous in 

 tooth as well as in temper. The bite, indeed, is so severe, and the creature has such power 

 of jaw, that the wounds inflicted are always exceedingly painful for an hour or two, and 

 might give rise to the idea that the teeth were poisonous like those of the rattlesnake. 



The Scorpion Lizard is seldom seen except upon trees, where it can mostly find 

 a sufficiency of food among the insects that always haunt the branches of trees, and of 

 drink in the dew-drops that collect at morning and evening. When, however, it needs a 

 more abundant diet, it descends to the ground for a short visit, but after satisfying its 

 wants, it returns to its tree, runs easily up the trunk, and again establishes itself in its 

 burrow. 



The head of the Scorpion Lizard is very broad at the base, and narrows rather suddenly 

 to the snout, which is slightly elongated. The upper part of the head is of a bright red 

 colour. The body is olive-brown above, and the throat, abdomen, and whole of the under 

 parts, are yellowish white. Just in front of the ear is a series of oblong tubercles, and the 

 temples are smooth and covered with rather large shields. The feet are large in proportion 

 to the size of the body, and the toes are rather compressed and exceedingly delicate, in 

 fact almost thread-like in form. The length of the Scorpion Lizard is generally about 

 eleven or twelve inches. 



THEKE is a closely allied species, also common in North America, popularly called the 

 BLUE-TAIL and scientifically the FIVE-LINED PLESTIODON (Plestiodon quinquelinedtum}. 



Like the preceding species, the Blue-Tail inhabits the deepest forests, but is not one of 

 the arboreal reptiles, being always found upon the earth, usually remaining within a short 

 distance of its home, which is made in one of the numerous decaying tree-stumps which 

 are found in these vast forests. Its food consists of insects, which it catches principally 

 upon the ground. 



The head of this Lizard is red like that of the scorpion, but of a much paler quality. 

 The body is olive, with five longitudinal white streaks, the central stripe being forked in 

 front, and with two black bands. The tail is brownish, with a decided wash of blue during 

 the life of the animal, a colouring which has earned for it the popular name of Blue-Tail. 

 It is, however, subject to slight variations in the colour and shape of the markings. There 

 are several little lobes in front of the ears. The length of the Blue-Tail is about eight or 

 ten inches. 



A REPTILE which bears some resemblance to the scorpion Lizard is found in Jamaica 

 and the West Indian islands, where it seems to take the place of that creature, and to 

 enjoy a reputation almost as bad, with as little cause. The negroes call it by the name of 

 MABOUYA (Mabouya dgilis), but as they apply that term to anything which is, or which 

 they consider to be venomous, and as there are very many really poisonous creatures in 

 those countries, and many more which are falsely thought to be so, the word is rather 

 vague in its application. 



The Mabouya is a good climber, running up trees with perfect facility, and having a 

 tendency to traverse the huts of the negroes, much to the consternation of the inmates. 



