PHRYNOSOMA CORNUTA. 



91 



great rapidity from place to place, either in search of its prey or to escape its 

 enemies, but never climbs. In confinement, however, its movements are sluggish; 

 it remains for hours in the same posture, without making any attempt to escape. 

 The individual from which the accompanying plate was taken, was brought by 

 Mr. Gregg from the neighbourhood of Santa Fe, near the confines of the United 

 States, and remained in possession of Dr. T. M'Euen, of Philadelphia, for several 

 months. It was perfectly quiet and gentle, never attempting to bite, or even to 

 resist, when taken in the hand, and far from having the activity attributed to it in 

 its native condition; it was not easy to make it shift its position, even by touching 

 it; nor would it seek shelter from rain, or from the intense heat of the sun, though 

 the temperature in the shade was above 90°. Dr. M'Euen further informed me, 

 that it would feed on a small species of red ant, taking them slowly and at long 

 intervals; but he could never entice it to eat other insects, though many different 

 kinds were offered it. 



GEOGRAPmcAL DISTRIBUTION. Tlic Phryuosoma cornuta is found in the western 

 country, from the Missouri to Texas, and is very abundant about the sources of 

 Red river. 



General Remarks. A good deal of difficulty has hitherto existed as to the 

 history of the Phrynosoma cornuta. The first animal of this species ever seen 

 by our naturalists was brought alive by Lewis and Clark, and given to Mr. 

 Jefferson, who deposited it in the Museum of the Philosophical Society of 

 Philadelphia, where it is still kept in perfect preservation; this I have more than 

 once examined, through the kindness of my esteemed friend, John Vaughan, Esq., 

 hbrarian to that institution. 



Dr. B. S. Barton was, however, the first naturalist w^ho published any notice of 

 the Phrynosoma cornuta,* and proposed calling it Lacerta tapayaxin — a name 

 that cannot be received, as it is applied to the orbicular lizard of Hernandez. 



* Med. and Phys. Journ., vol. iii. part ii. p. GS. 



