THE CROWNED TAPAYAXIN. 221 



almost black ; and shutting it up in a desk, after half an hour 

 he was no less surprised than delighted to see the lizard of a 

 brilliant green, the line down the back only being blackish. 



When the animal is excited, the pouch, swelling out, be- 

 comes of a crimson colour. It is covered with excessively 

 small — scarcely perceptible — scales. 



These little creatures are at times very quarrelsome, and 

 will light together, frequently both the combatants losing their 

 tails in the contest ; while their pouches swell out as they 

 lea]) at each other and struggle furiously. 



THE CROWNED TAPAYAXIN. 



This is the scientific name of a creature generally known 

 under the title of the horned-toad, though really a lizard. 

 Its head is of a light brown, marked with dark spots, 

 the under part being of a dull yellow ; and is armed with 

 long conical spines, set round the edge and pointing back- 

 wards. The back is covered with shorter and stouter spines, 

 of a triangular shape, extending to the very point of the tail — 

 also armed with a strong row of spines, which gives it a com- 

 pletely toothed appearance. The colour of this curiously- 

 covered back is gray, with irregular bands of chestnut-brown 

 across it. 



Formidable as it looks, it is not only harmless, but never 

 retaliates when attacked, and remains perfectly quiet when 

 taken in the hand. It is also easily tamed, and learns to 

 know its owner, and to take food from his hand — preferring 

 little red ants, though it eats readily beetles, flies, and other 

 insects. From its small, rounded form, and the mode of 

 sitting, it has in all likelihood gained its common name of 

 the horned-toad. 



