Aug. 1833. 



REPTILES. 



115 



with the brightest vermilion^ so as to colour the soles of 

 its feet and parts of its stomach_, a good idea of its appear- 

 ance will be gained. If it is an unnamed species^ surely it 

 ought to be called diabolicus, for it is a fit toad to preach in 

 the ear of Eve. Instead of being nocturnal in its habits^ 

 as other toads are^ and living in damp obscure recesses^ it 

 crawls during the heat of the day about the dry sand-hillocks 

 and arid plains, where not a single drop of water can be 

 found. It must necessarily depend on the dew for its 

 moisture; and this probably is absorbed by the skin, for it is 

 known, that these reptiles possess great powers of cutaneous 

 absorption. At Maldonado, I found one in a situation 

 nearly as dry as at Bahia Blanca, and thinking to give it a great 

 treat, carried it to a pool of water ; not only was the little 

 animal unable to swim, but, I think, without help would soon 

 have been drowned. 



Of lizards there were many kinds, but only one remark- 

 able, from its habits. It lives on the bare sand near the sea 

 coast, and from its mottled colour, the brownish scales being 

 speckled with white, yellowish red, and dirty blue, can hardly 

 be distinguished from the surrounding surface. When fright- 

 ened it attempts to avoid discovery by feigning death, with 

 outstretched legs, depressed body, and closed eyes : if further 

 molested, it buries itself with great quickness in the loose 

 sand. This lizard, from its flattened body and short legs, 

 cannot run quickly. It belongs to the genus Ophryessa. 



I will here add a few remarks on the hybernation of ani- 

 mals in this part of South America. When we first arrived 

 at Bahia Blanca, September 7th, 1832, we thought nature 

 had granted scarcely a living creature to this sandy and dry 

 country. By digging, however, in the ground, several in- 

 sects, large spiders, and lizards were found in a half torpid 

 state. On the 15th, a few animals began to appear, and by 

 the 18th (three days from the equinox), every thing an- 

 nounced the commencement of spring. The plains were 

 ornamented by the flowers of a pink wood sorrel, wild peas, 

 oenotheree, and geraniums ; and the birds began to lay their 



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