18 REPTILIA. 



FAMILY II. 



LACERTINIDA.(l) 



This family is distinguished by the tongue, which is thin, 

 extensible, and terminates in two threads, like that of the 

 Coluber and Viper; the body is elongated; the walk rapid; 

 each foot has five toes separate and unequal, the hind ones 

 particularly so, all armed with nails ; the scales on the belly 

 and round the tail are arranged in transverse and parallel 

 bands; the tympanum is level v.ith the head, or but slightly 

 sunk and membranous. A production of the skin with a lon- 

 gitudinal slit which is closed by a sphincter, protects the eye, 

 under whose anterior angle is the vestige of a third eye -lid ; 

 the false ribs do not form a complete circle ; the male organs 

 of generation are double, and the anus is a transverse slit. 



The species being very numerous and various, we subdivide 

 them into two great genera. 



Monitor, by a singular error called Tupinambis.(2) 



This genus contains species of the largest sizej they have two 

 teeth in both jaws, but none in the palate; the greater number are 

 recognized by their laterally compressed tail, which renders them 

 more aquatic. The vicinity of water sometimes brings them in the 

 neighbourhood of Crocodiles and Alligators, and it is said that by 

 whistling they give notice of the approach of these dangerous ani- 

 mals. This report is most probably the origin of the term Sauve- 

 garde or Monitor applied to some of their species, but the fact is 

 very uncertain. They are divided into two very distinct groups. 

 The first, or that of the 



Monitors, properly so called, 

 Is known by numerous and small scales on the head and limbs, 



(1) Lacerta, a Lizard. 



(2) Marcgrave, speaking of the Sauvegarde of America, says that it is called 

 Teyu-guagu, and among tlie Tupinambous, Temapara {Temapara iupinambis). 

 Seba has mistaken the latter name for that of the animal, and all other naturalists 

 have copied it from him. 



