SNAKES, TURTLES, LIZAEDS, CROCODILES 255 



hence its name. Sonietinics the tail is a reddish green. 

 Below, the animal is pearly white. Its body is cylindrical 

 and eight or ten inches long. It lias four legs, each ending 

 in five toes, and the liod}' is covered with scales. Unlike 

 the snake, the jaws are not dilatable. 



Alligator lizard. — This hzard is also known as the 

 "pine lizard." It is six to eight inches long, earthy brown 



Tic:. 175. — Alligator lizard. In tlie ytraggie for existence, part ot the 

 tail was broken off. 



above, and dirty white beneath, with blue side patches in 

 the male (Fig. 175). Its botly is covered with scales, which 

 on the back are large; and when angered , it elevates these 

 scales as a dog does its hair, and rapidly changes its color, 

 thus assuming a very miUtant aspect. If, by chance, the 

 tail of this animal is pulleil riff, it will be renewed. The 

 female lays from six to eight eggs in some secluded place 

 in a dry tree trunk, stump, etc. 



American chameleon. — This is a small but very beautiful 

 and interesting lizard found in the southern states. Its body 



