48 THE SAUROPHIS. 



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

 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 SAUROPHIS, 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 ser- 

 pents, 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 black are slightly grooved and a small keel runs 

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



SAUROPHIS. Saurophls tetradactylus. 



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 color 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 TACHYDROME, 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 propor- 

 tion 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. 



