LIZARDS. 35 



Teju (Tupinambis teguixin, 421), which reaches a yard in length. 

 Draccena guianensis is peculiar in having cheek-teeth of a molar-like 

 type. Ameiva dorsalis (423) is a smaller West Indian species. 



The Amphisbaenas (family Amphislwnidw, 436-437) are worm-like L ' ase 20 - 

 and for the most part limbless tropical Lizards which take their name 

 from their power of progressing either forwards or backwards. They 

 are degraded, or perhaps specialised types ; and are characterised by 

 having the body covered with soft skin, which forms numerous rings 

 and shows only vestiges of scales. The genus Chirotes alone retains 

 short and four-clawed front-limbs. About a dozen generic types are 

 recognised, of which the typical Amphisbcma (436) contains the 

 greatest number of species. Arnphisbasnas lead an underground 

 burrowing existence, like worms ; and are often found in ants' nests 

 and refuse heaps. Their movements are worm-like, the soft, ringed 

 skin enabling them to move with equal facility in either direction. 

 Unlike other limbless Lizards and Snakes, which move in lateral 

 undulations, Amphisbamas crawl in a straight line with slight 

 vertical folds of the body. All are Tropical American. 



The common English Lizard and its allies are the types of a family Case 20. 

 (Lacertufre, 440-445) characterised as follows : The teeth are pleuro- 

 dont, i.e. attached to the inner side of the margin of the jaws ; the 

 long tongue is forked, with either tubercles or folds ; there are bony 

 plates on the head ; and the temporal region of the skull is roofed 



Fig. 36. 



The Eyed Lizard (Laccrta occllata) ; J nat. size. (No. 441 •) 



with bone. The family is restricted to the Old World and includes 

 less than a score of genera. The most familiar forms of the typical 



n 2 ' 



