62 



THE MABOUYA. 



Happily for the Lizard, the belief in its venomous propensities is widely diffused and 

 deeply engrained in the popular mind, so that without having a single dangerous property 

 except that of undaunted courage when driven to bay, it has established a reputation for 

 ability to avenge itself when injured, which is of no less service to reptiles than men. Not 

 that it is wholly destitute of offensive weapons, for its teeth are strong and sharp, its feet 

 powerful, and its claws are sutBciently pointed to scratch rather deeply. 



The Scoi'pion Lizard is naturally a very timid and retiring creature, and on the approach 

 of danger slips quietly out of the way, wisely preferring flight to combat. But if seized, the cap- 

 tor will have no small struggle before he can fairly secure his small but determined quarry, for 

 the creature bites so fiercely with its sharp teeth, retains its hold with such bull-dog tenacity, 

 and kicks and scratches with such hearty good will, that the non-zoological populace may well 

 be excused for thinking it to be venomous in tooth as well as in temper. The bite, indeed, is 

 so severe, and the creature has such power of jaw, that the wounds inflicted are always exceed- 

 ingly painful for an hour or two, and might give rise to the idea that the teeth were poisonous 

 like those of the rattlesnake. 



The Scorpion Lizard is seldom seen except upon trees, where it can mostly find a sufficiency 

 of food among the insects that always haunt the branches of trees, and of drink in the dew- 

 drops that collect at morning and evening. When, however, it needs a more abundant diet, 

 it descends to the ground for a short visit, but after satisfying its wants, it returns to its tree, 

 runs easily up the trunk, and again establishes itself in its burrow. 



The head of the Scorpion Lizard is very broad at the base, and narrows rather suddenly to 

 the snout, which is slightly elongated. The upper part of the head is of a bright red color. 

 The body is olive-brown above, and the throat, abdomen, and whole of the under jjarts, are 

 yellowish-white. Just in front of the ear is a series of oblong tubercles, and the temples are 

 smooth and covered with rather large shields. The feet are large in proportion to the size of 

 the body, and tlie toes are rather compressed and exceedingly delicate, in fact almost thread- 

 like in form. The length of the Scorpion Lizard is generally about eleven or twelve inches. 



There is a closely allied species, also common in North America, popularly called the 

 Blue-tail, and scientifically the Five-lined Plestiodon {Plestiodon qulnqiielinedtiim). 



Like the ijreceding species, the Blue-tail inhabits the deepest forests, but is not one of the 

 arboreal reptiles, being always found upon the earth, usually remaining within a short distance 

 of its home, which is made in one of the numerous decaying tree-stumps which are found in 

 these vast forests. Its food consists of insects, which it catclies principally upon the ground. 



The head of this Lizard is red, like that of the scorpion, but of a much paler quality. The 

 body is olive, with five longitudinal white streaks, the central stripe being forked in front, and 

 with two black bands. The tail is brownish, with a decided wash of blue during the life of 

 the animal, a coloring which lias earned for it the popular name of Blue-tail. It is, however, 

 subject to slight variations in the color and shape of the markings. There are several little 

 lobes in fi-ont of the ears. The length of the Blue-tail is about eight or ten inches. 



A REPTILE which bears some resemblance to the scorpion Lizard is found in Jamaica and 

 the West India Islands, where it seems to take the place of that creature, and to enjoy a 

 reputation almost as bad, Avith as little cause. The negroes call it by the name of Mabouya 

 {Mahoiu/a dgiUs), but as they apply that term to anything which is, or which they consider 

 to be venomous, and as there are very many really poisonous creatures in those countries, and 

 many move which are falsely thought to be so, the word is rather vague in its application. 



Tlie Mabouya is a good climber, runnuig up trees witli i)erfect facility, and having a 

 tendency to traverse the huts of the negroes, much to the consternation of tlie inmates. Its 

 usual habitation, however, is made in the holes of old, decaying trees, and except during the 

 very hot weather, it mostly remains at home. There is another reptile, inhabiting tlie same 

 country and to wliich the same title is applied, and which will be mentioned in a future page. 



The lower eyelid of the Mabouya is remarkable for a little transparent disc in the centre, 

 the palate is without teeth, and the scales are smooth. Along the back run four black streaks. 



