THE HORNEU LIZARD. 



83 



common garden-spider is extremely painful. I have suffered for some hours from the bite of 

 one of these creatures, and I have seen the arm of a young lady flushed and swollen, because 

 a garden-spider had l)itten the back of h.er hand. Tlie ])ain is something like that produced 

 by the sting of a wasp, but more dull, and seeming to throb with the pulse. 



The color of the Red-thi'oated Anolis is greenish blue, excepting on the throat when the 

 creature is excited. There is no crest on the nape and back, but the tail is slightly toothed 

 above. ^\nien full-grown, it is about the size of our sand Lizard. 



Our last example of this large and interesting family is the Crowned Tapataxin, one of 

 the singular North American reptiles which are popularly known by tlie name of Horned 

 Toads, their general form and mode of sitting being extremely toad-like. 



This animal is not at all uncommon in California, and is said when at liberty in its wild 

 state to move with much rapidity over the ground, in search of its insect prey. Its habits in 





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CROWNED TAPAYAXIN.— P/w-j/nWOTftu orblculure. 



confinement, however, do not carry out this statement, as it is then sluggish to a degree, 

 remaining for many consecutive hours in precisely the same attitude, heedless of the 

 falling rain or the burning rays of the sun, and scarcely changing its position even when 

 pushed with the finger. It is quite hamiless, in spite of its very formidable looks, and does 

 not attempt to avenge itself upon its captor, however roughly it may be handled. After a 

 while it can be made to know its owner, and will even take flies and other insects out of his 

 hand. Little red ants seem to be its favorite food; but it lives on beetles and insects of 

 various kinds. 



The head of this curious reptile is armed with long, pointed, conical spines, set around its 

 edge and directed backward. Shorter and stouter spines, but of a triangular shape, are scat- 

 tered over the back, and extend even over the odd, short, and pointed tail. Each edge of the 

 tail is armed with a strong row of spmes, giving it a regularly toothed appearance. The general 

 color of the Crowned Tapayaxin is gray, variegated with several irregular bands of rich chest- 

 nut-brown. The head is light brown, blotched with a darker hue, and the under parts are 

 ochry-yellow, marked with sundry blotches of dark gray. 



The Horned Lizard {Phrynosoma douglassi). This strangely armed creature is found 

 in Central America, and in western poi-tions of the United States. Holbrook records three 

 other species, which inhabit the region about the Columbia River. 



