506 M.F.Sumichrast on the Habits of some Mexican Reptiles. 
sagittal crest, which becomes cartilaginous at its extremity; 
whilst in Corythophanes it is formed entirely by an abnormal 
expansion of the bones of the cranium. The facies of the species 
under consideration also presents some features of resemblance 
‘to that of the African Chameleon, which led Hernandez to give — 
it the name of Chameleo mewxicanus. 
The colours of the Corythophanes do not present those brilliant | 
green, yellow, or reddish tints which are observable in the coat : 
of the Basilisk, but a mixture of brown, fulvous, black, and 
white, which, however, is not unpleasing. I have observed that — 
these tints are not indifferent to the action of light: one of — 
these reptiles, which I kept alive for more than a month, pre- 
sented this peculiarity :—its throat, which was white during the | 
day, acquired a darker tint at night, as did also all the lighter — 
regions of the body. Although very lively by nature, this little — 
animal allowed itself to be taken and caressed. If I passed my 
hand several times over the flank, it lay down immediately as if 
magnetized by this touching. If I repeated the same manceuvre 
upon the belly, it crossed its fore feet in the attitude of prayer, 
and fell into a state of perfect immobility. It became so tame 
that it would run towards me to take from my hand the flies 
and other insects of which it was fond. 
The Corythophanes is not a shore animal, like the Iguanas and 
the Basilisks. It lives scarcely anywhere but in the woods 
among the rocks, and delights especially in the oak-forests, — 
where the sombre coloration of its body, which harmonizes with — 
that of the dry leaves, enables it to make successful ambuscades — 
for the capture of the insects which constitute its prey. Itis — 
exceedingly active, and, when it can take to flight, its capture, 
except by shooting it, becomes very difficult. In running, it — 
raises the front of the body almost vertically, at the same time 
lashing the ground with its tail, by which its appearance at — 
such times is rendered very singular. 
The credulity of the Indians has not failed to ascribe extra-_ 
ordinary qualities to this little creature, which is at once so 
pretty and so odd. At the same time that they greatly dread 
the inoffensive pricking of the spines which are observed on the — 
sides of its head, they extol the virtues of its body, when dried 
and carried as an amulet, against the evil eye (e/ aire) and that 
multitude of supernatural ills which are born of their sombre 
and superstitious imaginations. % 
The Cor ythophanes are nowhere common ; but the species — 
which forms the subject of this note inhabits both slopes of the 
Cordillera at very distant points. Thus I have met with it near — 
the Haciendas of the Mirador and the Potrero (in the depart- e 
‘ment of Vera Cruz), in the grottoes of the Cerro de Santo Dossy 
