26 REPTILES. 



Lyriocephalus, Merr., 



Unite with the characters of Lophyrus; a tympanum concealed under the 

 skin and muscles, like that of the Chameleon : they also have a dorsal 

 crest and a carinated tail. 



In the species known, Lyrio margaritaceus, Merr. ; Lacerta scu- 

 tata, L. ; Seb. cix, c, the bony crest of the eye-brows is still larger 

 than in the Ag. gigantea, and terminates behind, on each side, in a 

 sharp point. Large scales are scattered among the small ones on 

 the body and limbs; imbricated and carinated scales on the tail; a 

 soft, though scaly enlargement on the end of the muzzle. This 

 truly singular species is found in Bengal and other parts of India*. 

 It feeds on grain. 



Brachylophus, Cuv. 



Have small scales ; the tail somewhat compressed : a slightly salient crest 

 on the neck and back; a small dewlap, a series of pores on each thigh, 

 and, in a word, a strong resemblance to the Iguanse; but they have no 

 palatine teeth; those of the jaws are denticulate. Such is 



Ulguane a bandes, Brong., Essai et Mem. des Sav. Etr. I, pi. 



x, f. 5. (The Banded Iguana). From India. It is a deep blue, 



with light blue bands. 



PlIYSIGNATHUS, CuV. 



Have, with the same teeth, the same scales and pores; the head very 

 much enlarged behind, and without the dewlap ; a crest of large pointed 

 scales on the back and tail, which is strongly compressed. 



Ph. coeincinus, Nob., is a large species from Cochin China; blue, 



with stout scales, and some spines on the enlargements of the sides 



of the head. It lives on fruit, nuts, &c. 



Istiurus, Cuv. — LoPHURAf, Gray. 



The distinguishing character of this genus consists in an elevated and 

 trenchant crest, which extends along a - part of the tail, and which is sup- 

 ported by the high spinous apophyses of the vertebrae; this crest is scaly 

 like the rest of the body; the scales on the belly and tail are small, and 



* From this Lyriocephalus, the Pnkustes of Merrem, and the Phrynocephalus 

 of Kaup, Fitzinger forms a family called Pneustoidea, which he approximates to 

 that of the Chameleons. The Pneustes depend altogether on a vague and imperfect 

 description of Azzara, II, 401, on which, also, Daudin had established his Agame a 

 queue pre nante, III, 440; Azzar. says that its ear is not visible, probably because it is 

 very small. The Phrynocephalus is composed of the Lac. guttata and the Lac. 

 uralensis, Lepechin. Yoy. I, p. .'517, pi. xxii, f. 1 and 2, which form but one species. 

 Kaup asserts that it has no external tympanum (Isis of 1825, I, 591). Not having 

 seen these animals, I hesitate as to their classification. Another subgenus will 

 probably have to be made of the Lezard a oreilles, (Lac. aurita, Pall.), Daud. Ill, 

 xlv, remarkable for the faculty it possesses of inflating the two sides of the head 

 under the ears: I have not, however, been able to examine it. 



1 have changed this name of Lophura, which is too much like that of Lophyrus. 



