44 
THE HE LODE mi A HORRIDUM. 
The teeth of this species are strong, and the reptile can bite with great force. It is a bold 
and determined combatant when attacked, and if it succeeds in grasping a foe, retains its hold 
with the pertinacity of the bulldog. The flesh of the Teguexin is eaten, and thought to . 
be excellent. According to Azara, the skin of its tail, when separated into rings, is con- 
sidered to be a safeguard against paralysis, and worn for that purpose, as well as to remove 
tumors, another healing power which it is supposed to possess. 
The general coloring of the Teguexin is as follows : The upper parts are deep black, with 
bold mottlings of yellow or green. On the upper part of each side there are two series of 
white spots, and the under parts are mostly yellow, with black bands. The coloring is, how- 
ever, extremely variable. 
The curious little Ameiva, which has just been mentioned as falling a victim to the 
previous species, is closely allied to the Teguexin. It is rather a pretty Lizard, with a very 
long whip-like tail, and peculiarly elongated toes on the hinder feet. The long tail is covered 
with a series of scales, arranged in rings, of which about one hundred and twenty have 
been counted in a perfect specimen. The color of the Ameiva is dark olive, speckled with 
black on the nape of the neck and front of the back. On the sides are rows or bands of 
white spots edged with black, from which peculiarity it is sometimes called the Spotted 
Lizard. There are many species of Ameiva, inhabiting either Central America, or the West 
Indian Islands. 
CRUST LIZARD . — Heloderma horridum. 
The very odd-looking creature, scientifically termed Heloderma horridum , which is seen 
in the engraving, is an inhabitant of Mexico, where the natives call it Tola-chini. Though 
looking somewhat like an Ameiva, it forms a separate family, of which it is the only species. 
It differs from the Ameiva by the formation of its teeth and tail, the latter being thick, and 
shorter than the body. As the pointed teeth are set as in the deadly snakes, the natives 
of Mexico believe the reptile’ s bite to be fatal. This belief, however, is without any founda- 
tion, as the reptile really possesses no poisonous fangs. Like some frogs, the Heloderma has 
a penetrating scent, and when disturbed, it ejects an odorous saliva from its mouth. During 
the day it hides in self-made holes at the foot of trees, and there it lays in a lethargic position 
until night, when it chases its prey, consisting of beetles, worms and frogs. The Heloderma is 
of an earthy -brown color, the whole body being covered with yellow, white, and brownish-red 
spots, and the tail with dark scales. It attains a length of nearly three feet three inches. 
