REPTILES 169 



additions — the one originally common to the southern Ethiopian area. In attempt- 

 ing to explain the relations of the amphibian faunas of Africa, Madagascar, 

 South America, and Australia, the author states that he is disinclined to accept 

 the generic identity of the Malagasy boa-like snakes with South American types, 

 and that he regards true frogs (Rana) as of African and tree-frogs (Hylidce) as of 

 South American origin. 



Among lizards, special mention may be made of the girdle-tailed lizard 

 (Zonurus cordylus) as representing a family — Zonuridce — characterised by the 

 presence of a fold along the sides of the body dividing the upper from the under 

 parts. This family, which is restricted to South and East Africa and Madagascar, 

 likewise includes the snake-like lizards constituting the genus Chamceosaura, in 

 which the hind-legs are rudimentary and the fore-legs altogether wanting. The 

 worm-like, burrowing lizards constituting the family Amphisbcenidce are likewise 

 noteworthy on account of being common to Africa together with some of the 

 countries of southern Europe and tropical America. 



On the Gold Coast one of the commonest lizards is the spiny agama (Agama 

 colonorum), a member of a widely spread Old World genus specially characterised 

 by the brilliancy of its colouring. The markings are in red, yellow, and blue; 

 and the length of this species is about sixteen inches. 



Very characteristic of Ethiopian Africa is the great number of species of 

 chameleons, a group whose headquarters are in fact in this part of the world. 

 Some of these Ethiopian species, such as the East African Chamceleon Jischeri, are 

 characterised by the presence of a curious appendage on the head. 



In the serpent order certain burrowing snakes of the families Typhlopidce and 

 Glauconiidce are to be met with in the area under consideration, but as these 

 groups have a wide distribution, not much would be gained by further mention. 

 Much the same remark applies to the pythons, of which the largest African 

 species is Python sebce. This species ranges from the equatorial to the southern 

 districts of the continent, and grows to a length of between 11 and 20 feet. 



Cobras are represented by Naia haje, ranging over the greater part of the 

 continent, and known to the Boers as the spy-slange, as well as by the black 

 JS[. nigricollis and other species. Another member of the same group is the 

 ring-hals — banded neck — (Sepedon hcemachates), a species taking its name from 

 the yellow or brownish bands on a black ground. 



The most deadly of African snakes are, however, the puff-adders, typified by 

 the widely spread Bitis arietans, which grows to a length of about 4 feet, and has 

 a huge, ugly, flat head, and a brilliant type of colouring. For gorgeous colouring 

 the palm is, however, taken by the nose-horned puff-adder (B. nasicornis) and the 

 Gabun viper, or " river jack viper " (B. gabonica), of Equatorial Africa, in both of 

 which yellow largely predominates. In common with certain other African 

 snakes, the species last named is known to have the power of spitting out its venom 

 to a considerable distance. According to a recent writer, this reptile when irritated 

 can eject its poison to some distance, after the manner of the above-mentioned 

 black cobra. One drop falling into a man's eye will cause burning pain, and some- 

 times produce serious effects. Dogs are often blinded by the ejected venom, 

 especially that of the black cobra. Both species occur side by side in German 



