COLLECTION OF REPTILES. 4°^ 



The seventh genus is that of the dragon (draco 

 volans), to whom a lateral extended membrane 

 gives a very different aspect from that of other 

 lizards. This kind of wing, of a peculiar me- 

 chanism, although it does not adhere to the legs 

 of the animal, as in the flying mammalia, can 

 nevertheless be extended at pleasure, and must 

 aid considerably in the act of springing from one 

 tree or branch to another, or when it pursues 

 insects. The three species in the cabinet were 

 sent from the East Indies; their eggs are quite 

 round, and not larger than a common pea. 



The eighth genus is formed of the iguanas. 

 They are very large lizards, some of which mea- 

 sure more than six feet from the tip of the nose 

 to the extremity of the tail, which is sometimes 

 twice the length of the trunk. They climb trees 

 with an amazing agility, and feed on leaves and 

 seeds. Eight species of them have been sent 

 from India and America. 



After the iguanas come the anolis, of which 

 there are in the cabinet fourteen species, all na- 

 tives of America. The striated swelling they 

 have under each toe, and which is formed by the 

 widening of the second phalanx, enables them 

 to walk on the most polished surface, and even 

 to run on the ceilings of apartments. They have 

 under the throat a sort of wen or swelling. 



26. 



