HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



77 



the Mexicans ^atapalcath This refembles the common 

 cameleon almoll: in every refpeft, but differs in having no 

 creft, and in having large, round, open ears. Among 

 the other lizards of the harmlefs kind, there is none worth 

 notice but the 1 apayaxin (^), which is remarkable for its 

 fliape and fome other peculiarities. It is perfectly round, 

 cartilaginous, and feels very cold to the touch : the dia- 

 meter of its body is lix inches. Its head is very hard, 

 and fpotted with various colours. It is fo lazy and ilug- 

 gifli, that it does not move even although it is fliaken. 

 When its head is ftruck, or its eyes preffcd, it darts out 

 from them, to about tvv^o or three paces diflance, a few 

 drops of blood ; but is in every thing elfe an inoffenfivc 

 animal, and fecms to take pleafure in being handled. It 

 would feem as if, being of fo cold a conftitution, it re- 

 ceived fome comfort from the heat of the hand. 



Among the poifonous lizards, the word feems to be 

 that one which, from its being uncommon, got the name 

 of Tetzauhqui with the Mexicans. It is very fmall, of a 

 grey colour, which is of a yellov/ifh hue upon the body, 

 and bluilh upon the tail. There are fome others reck- 

 oned venomous, and known by the Spaniards by the name 

 of Salamanquefasy or that of Scorpions (for this name is 

 apphed to many reptiles by the vulgar): but I am cer- 

 tain, from many obfervations, that thofe lizards are ei- 

 ther entirely void of poifon, or at leafl:, if they have any, 

 it is not fo a6i:ive as is generally imagined. We may make 

 the fame remark with refpe61: to toads, as we have never 

 feen or heard of any bad effe61:s occafioned by their ve- 

 nom, although in many warm and humid places the earth 

 is entirely covered with them. In thofe places there are 

 fome toads of eight inches diameter. 



In 



{k) See this lizard in our plate. 



