ORDER SAURIA. 205 



mentioned in the text, is also distinguished by its large and 

 projecting eyes. 



This saurian is an inhabitant of Brazil and Guiana, and 

 more especially of Surinam and Cayenne. It frequents the 

 edges of waters and inundated situations, and arrives to the 

 length of six feet. 



The great safe-guard runs with rapidity on the ground, 

 and throws itself into the water when it is pursued. It dives, 

 but however does not swim, and never climbs trees. It lives 

 on insects, reptiles, moUusca, the eggs of birds, and honey. 

 It nestles in holes excavated by itself in the bosom of the 

 sand. 



Both the flesh and eggs of this reptile are eaten. The 

 latter are of an oblong figure, and but few in number. 

 According to Don Felix d"'Azara, it is believed in Paraguay, 

 that the rings of its tail are a preservative from palsy. 



The Ameiva (L. Ameiva, Lin.) has an elongated head, 

 compressed at the sides, and narrow above. The muzzle 

 is pointed. The tail is longer than the body, and cylindri- 

 cal. It is composed of at least one hundred and twenty 

 verticillated scales, very slightly carinated. The size of this 

 reptile is about a foot. 



This saurian is commonly found in Guiana and the Great 

 Antilles. It should not be confounded with the Anolis of 

 Rochefort and Ray, but it appears to be the same animal 

 as the Anolis of Surinam, described by Gronow, and as the 

 large spotted lizard of Edwards. 



The Black-marhed Ameiva, which is enumerated in tlie 

 notes of the text, is the Lacerta Litterata of Daudin. The 

 tail is long, cylindrical, verticillated, and very pointed. 

 The upper part of the body is of a very fine bluish green, 

 rather deep, and varied with small black marks, numerous 

 and irregular, disposed cross-wise over somewhat broad 

 bands, ocellated here and there with small white rounded 



