SCALED REPTILES^LIZARDS. 403 



all their movements they are very unlike ordinary lizards. Nearly allied to 

 the Galapagos forms are the two species of the typical genus lytuma, which 

 are restricted to Tropical America and the West Indies. From the former 

 they are distinguished by the simple, conical front teeth ; the lateral teeth 

 being sewated. They have the body long and compressed, the quadrangular 

 and large head covered above with enlarged shields, and the long tail invested 

 •with uniform and keeled scales. The neck, back, and upper surface of the 

 tail are ornamented with a continuous spiny crest, and there is an appendage 

 on the throat which is incapable of dilation. These iguanas are essentially 

 arboreal lizards, living in forests in the neighbourhood of water, and fre- 

 quently descendmg at night to the ground to feed. They readily take to water, 

 in which they swim with facility ; and although their diet is mainly of a 

 vegetable nature, they will freely eat insects and other invertebrates. The 

 common species measures as much as four and a half feet in length. By the 

 natives of the countries they frequent, iguanas are highly esteemed, and 

 they are regularly hunted in some districts for food. Their eggs are also 

 nmch sought after for the same purpose. Nearly allied is the ring-tailed 

 iguana (Gyclura carinata) of the West Indies, in which the crowns of the 

 lateral teeth are tricuspid, and the throat is furnished with a pouch, the back 

 and tail being strongly crested. 



As the AgamidcB possess a spine-clad type in the form of the moloch lizard, 

 so a similar type occurs in the present family. These creatures are generally 

 called horned lizards, although in the States they are known by the title of 

 Californian toad. The genus to which they belong {Phrynoswma) includes 

 about a dozen species, which have a geographical range extending over the 

 United States and Mexico. From all other members of the family they are 

 at once distinguished by the numerous spines studding the skin of the body, 

 head, and tail ; while they are further characterised by their short, rounded 

 head, general toad-like form of body, and abbreviated tail. About five inches 

 is the ordinary length of these lizards. As regards habits, these lizards are 

 inhabitants of sandy districts, where they prey upon beetles and such other 

 insects as they are able to capture. Some of them are among the few members 

 of the IgiMmdce which give birth to their young in a living condition. This 

 peculiarity, coupled with their remarkable external appearance, would be 

 sufficient to give these lizards a claim to distinction above their fellows. But 

 they have another peculiarity. They spit blood ; and this not from their 

 mouth, but from their eyes. Incredible as this statement may appear, it is 

 attested by several trustworthy observers. When handled, they have been 

 known to squirt a jet of blood to a distance of more than a foot from one eye, 

 and soon after to emit a similar stream from the other. And this not only 

 once, but several times. Doubtless this most remarkable action is for defen- 

 sive purposes ; and American obsei-vers would do good service if they would 

 describe in detail the mode in which the operation is performed. 



A peculiar lizard from Mexico is the representative not only of the genus 

 Xcnosaurus, but Lkewise of the family Xenosauridtr.. Passing this by as 

 being worthy only of the attention of specialists, we come (;-j.jipa nzards 



to the girdled lizards, of which there are four genera from Family 



Africa south of the Sahara, and the island of Madagascar. Zonurida'. 

 To a great extent the group is intermediate between the 

 preceding family of the Ljumiidn?. and the following one of the Ancjuidii:. 

 From the former it is distinguished by the hinder lateral regions of the skull 

 being roofed over by (dermal) ossifications in the skin, and likewise by the 



