IGUANOID GROUP. 



135 



frequently in front of this band there is a large yellowish orange spot on each side 

 of the neck. Below, the colour is brownish or yellowish, which may be either 

 uniform or clouded with brown markings. An inhabitant of the great primeval 

 forests of South America, the stilted lizard has the power of changing colour, 

 and is consequently often designated a chamaeleon. It generally associates in 

 pairs, dwelling among trees, and its food appears to be entirely of a vegetable 

 nature. When disturbed, it rushes suddenly up a high branch, where it stands 

 with outstretched head and neck and widely open eyes, gazing steadily at the 

 intruder. Should it be unable to escape otherwise, the creature raises its neck still 

 higher, inflates the neck-pouches, and, with a sharp cry, springs boldly into the air. 

 There are a very large number of genera, agreeing with those hitherto noticed 



STILTED LIZARD (iiat. size). 



The Sea-Lizard. 



in the absence of pores on the thighs, which the limits of our space prevent us from 

 even mentioning. We accordingly pass on to the consideration of certain repre- 

 sentatives of the second great group of the family, in which such pores are present. 

 Both as regards their fauna and flora, the Galapagos Islands 

 stand altogether apart from the rest of the world, the greater number 

 of their animals and plants being absolutely peculiar, — it may be specifically, or it 

 may be generically, — while herbivorous reptiles take the place occupied on the 

 continents of the world by vegetable-eating mammals. In no case, however, is 

 this faunistic peculiarity more marked than in the occurrence in such a limited 

 area of two distinct genera of the present family, each represented by a single 

 species. Remarkable alike for special features connected with their dentition, as 

 well as for their large bodily size, these two lizards differ widely from the rest 

 of the family. Whereas, however, the one is a land animal, the other is unique 



