GREAVED LIZARDS. 



155 



may be recognised by the tail being round at the root and slightly compressed 

 near the middle, the double fold of skin on the neck, the uniform scales of the 

 back, the rather small squared shields of the under surface of the body, which are 

 arranged in more than twenty rows, the want of teeth on the palate, the com- 

 pressed tricuspid cheek-teeth of the young, and the long tongue, which is of nearly 

 equal width throughout, and sheathed at the base. In old individuals the crowns 

 of the cheek-teeth become obtuse. The teju, which attains a length of about a 

 yard, is a bulky and strikingly coloured lizard. Above, the ground-colour is olive, 

 upon which are markings and bands of black, and more or less distinct rows of 



SURINAM AMEIVA {\ liat. size) 



lighter spots ; while the under surface is yellowish, with interrupted black bars ; 

 the lines of division between the shields of the head being black. 



Ranging from Guiana to Uruguay, the teju is said by Bates to be very 

 common in the forests of the Amazon, where it may be observed in numbers 

 during the midday stillness scampering, apparently in sport, over the dead 

 leaves ; while in other districts it haunts sugar-plantations. Although frequently 

 found in the neighbourhood of water, it apparently never enters it; and 

 generally dwells in wide-mouthed holes situated beneath the roots of trees. Shy 

 and retiring to a degree in inhabited districts, when driven into a corner it shows 

 fight, hissing at and striking with its muscular tail the dogs employed in its 

 pursuit. When sitting, the head is generally raised, while the forked tongue is 

 in constant motion. Its diet comprises such living creatures as it can capture, 



