ORDER SAURIA. 107 



into a state of lethargy during severe cold. The 

 female deposits her eggs in layers, with beds of 

 earth.* 



The second family, or that of 



The Lacertians, 



Is distinguished by the slender extensible tongue, 

 terminated by two threads like that of the adders 

 and vipers. Their body is elongated. Their walk 

 rapid. All their feet have five toes, separated and 

 unequal, especially those of the hinder feet. The 

 scales are disposed under the belly and around the 

 tail, by transverse and parallel bands. Their tym- 

 panum is on a level with the head, and but slightly 

 sunk in, and membraneous. A production of the 

 skin, cleft longitudinally, which closes by a spincter, 

 protects their eye. Under the anterior angle is a 

 vestige of a third lid. Their false ribs do not make 

 an entire circle. The males have a double penis. 

 The anus is a transverse cleft. 



The species being very numerous and varied, we 

 subdivide them into two great genera, — 



* See on tliis species the Mem. of Dr. Harlan, Ac. Nat. Sc. Philad. iv. 

 242. — Add, The Cayman ivith osseous eyelids, Cr. Palpebrosus, Cuv. Ann. 

 Mus, X. pi. i. 6 & 7, et ii. 2 ; and the Cr. Trigonatus, Schn. Seb. I. cv. 3, 

 or the Jacaratinga Moschifer, Spix, pi. i. This species has the lid occu- 

 pied entirely in its thickness by three osseous laminae, of which the other 

 crocodiles have scarcely a vestige. 



