THE LIZARD 



359 



ally also on young crocodiles and crocodile eggs. The an- 

 cient Egyptians regarded these crocodile-like lizards as the 

 greatest enemies of the crocodile. 



The common lizards (Lacertidffii) of middle and southern 

 Europe are agile, harmless creatures, often of bright colors, 

 and are commonly and favorably known. The more abun- 



FiG. 3.37. 



- Heloderma, the GiLa monster. 

 From Brehm. 



About two-fifths nat. size. 



dant are the " green hzard " (Fig. 336), the " sand-lizard," 

 and the " wall-hzard " of the Latin countries. 



The Gila monster (Helodermidae) is the largest hzard of 

 the United States. It inhabits New Mexico, Arizona, and 

 the country southward. The lizard is colored brown, with 

 reddish spots and numerous yellowish punctations (Fig. 337). 

 It is nocturnal in its habits, and its bite is very poisonous, 

 although rarely fatal to man. 



^ From lacerta, lizard. 



