MOLOCH. K o\oc\ IJrridus. 



the scales on the sides of the neck are very long and sharp, and those of the back are 

 broad, boldly keeled, and sharply pointed, so that the creature presents rather a formidable 

 appearance. The tail is long and powerful 



THEEE is a very remarkable Lizard belonging to this family, called the EAKED MEGA- 

 LOCHILE, or sometimes, though wrongly, the EAKED AGAMA. 



This curious creature is found in Eussia, several specimens from that country being in 

 the collection of the British Museum. In this genus, containing, as far as is at present 

 known, only one species, the head is flat and round, the eyes large, and the ears sunken 

 and concealed under the skin. On the angle of the mouth at each side is placed a large 

 membranous fold of skin, curved so as to bear a close resemblance to a large external 

 ear, and boldly toothed on its edge. The neck is rather contracted, as if pinched, and has 

 a cross fold below. The back has no crest, the tail is much flattened throughout its 

 length, and the toes are long and very strongly toothed on the edge. The colour of this 

 reptile is grey and brown, with a slight green wash upon the top of the head. 



The EGYPTIAN MASTIGUBE, or SPINE-FOOTED STELLIO, is a native of Northern Africa, 

 and was said, though wrongly, to be the reptile spoken of by the ancients as the land- 

 crocodile. A figure of this creature may be seen on page 89. 



This species attains a rather large size, a full-grown specimen sometimes measuring a 

 yard in length. It is an inhabitant of desert spots, preferring old ruins, rocky ground, and 

 similar localities, where it can obtain instant refuge in case of alarm. The colour of this 

 reptile is bright grass-green during life, but, as is generally the case with all these animals, 

 the brilliant colours fade soon after death, and change to dingy blackish brown if the skin 

 be stuffed, or to mottled greys, browns, and blacks, if preserved in spirits. The head of 

 this creature is rounded, the back without a crest, the skin of the throat so folded as partly 

 to cover the ears, and the ears themselves are oblong, and toothed in front. The tail is 

 rather flattened, and furnished with transverse rows of large scales, boldly keeled, and 

 sharply pointed. A few conical spines are scattered upon the upper part of the thigh, the 

 sides, and loins. 



