46 THE FALSE CORDYLE. 



a number of thimbles had been deeply notched round their edges and then thrust into 

 one another. 



There is a somewhat similar reptile called the COMMON CORDYLE (Cordylus poly- 

 gonus), but it may be distinguished by a peculiarity of structure which has caused it to 

 be placed in a different genus. In the members of the genus Zonurus, the eyelids are 

 opaque, as is generally the case, but in the genus Cordylus there is a smooth trans- 

 parent spot in the centre of the lower eyelid. 



The form of the Rough-scaled Cordle is rather stout and flattened, as accords with 

 the comparative slowness of its movements. In color it is variable, but the usual tints 

 are orange-yellow on the back, sides, and tail, fading into yellow on the head and white 

 on the under parts. This species may be distinguished from the other Cordyles by the 

 smooth shields of the head and the rhomboidal-shaped scales of the back, which are 

 larger in the centre than on the sides and decidedly keeled. On the flanks the keels 

 are so long as to become spines, and the sides of the neck are covered with sharp spine- 

 like scales. 



ELEGANT OPHIOPS Op b lops elegaas. 



THE second species in the illustration is the FALSE CORDYLE, which is placed in a 

 separate genus on account of the shape and size of the scales upon the back and sides. 

 Instead of being large and tolerably even in size, as in the preceding genus, they are 

 very small and granular, alternating with bands of larger scales, which are three-sided, 

 convex, and slightly keeled. These scales are largest on the sides of the back. The 

 generic name Microlepidotus signifies small-scaled, and is given to these creatures in 

 allusion to the minute scales of the back and sides. 



The habits of this reptile are much like those of the previous species. Dr. A. Smith 

 writes as follows respecting this creature, after describing the singular variations of color 

 to which it is subject : 



" Each of the varieties appeared to be restricted to its own localities, and, so far as my 

 observations extend, no specimens of two varieties are ever found in the same localities. 

 All the varieties inhabit rocky situations, and when they have a choice they invariably 

 prefer precipices and the stony walls of difficultly accessible ravines. In this situation 

 they wander carelessly in search of food or warmth, unless alarmed by what they may 

 regard as enemies. On being closely approached in their retreats they are with difficulty 

 captured, as by aid of the prominences on the hinder edge of each temple, they hold on 

 with a tenacity which is quite surprising, and by them they occasionally offer such an 



