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A N O L I U S . — Cuvier. Dumeril et Bihron. 



Genus Anolius. — Characters. Head elongated, flattened and covered above 

 with polygonal plates of unequal size, maxillary teeth variable in number 

 and form; the anterior simple, rounded, pointed and recurved; posterior com- 

 pressed, and tridentate at their summit; palatine teeth very small, or wanting 

 altogether. Tongue thick, slightly notched at its apex; throat furnished with a 

 dewlap or fold of skin, distensible at will. Body elongated, sub-cylindrical, more 

 or less flattened, covered above with small scales of variable form, carinated or 

 smooth, imbricated in some, juxta-posed in others; abdomen covered with imbri- 

 cated scales, smooth or carinated; extremities well developed; third and fourth 

 finger of same length; fourth toe longest; skin of four external fingers and 

 toes developed beneath to form an oval disk, covered with large unbricated scales 

 on their inferior surface; this dilatation most remarkable under the three middle 

 fingers and toes. Tail cylindrical and very long. 



Only one species of Anolius has hitherto been observed in the United States. 



Remarks. The most remarkable structure in the genus Anolius, is the great 

 development of the anterior and inferior part of the ante-penultimate phalanges 

 of the fingers and toes into an oblong oval disk, by means of which the animal 

 can sustain himself, or even run with facility on perpendicular surfaces. Home 

 supposes that a vacuum is produced in these disks, under the fingers and toes, at 

 the will of the animal, and that he is thus kept in place by atmospheric pressure, 

 like some insects, (Cymbex lutea.) 

 Vol. n.— 9 



