THE ELEGANT OPHIOPS. 
49 
Unlike the scaly Lizard, this species lays its eggs in a convenient spot and then leaves 
them to be hatched by the warm sunbeams. Sandy banks with a southern aspect are the 
favored resorts of this reptile, which scoops out certain shallow pits in the sand, deposits her 
eggs, covers them up, and then leaves them to their fate. Mr. Bell, who has paid great 
attention to this subject, has remarked that the eggs are probably laid for a considerable 
period before the young are hatched from them. 
As has been already remarked, the coloring of this creature is exceedingly variable in 
different individuals. Generally it is sandy-brown above, with some faint bands of a darker 
brown with rows of black spots, which sometimes have a whitish dot in their centre. The 
sides have a tinge of green more or less distinct, and the under surface is white. In some 
individuals the green is very distinct. The average length of the Sand Lizard is about seven 
inches or a little more. 
Passing by a series of genera affording but few interesting points, we come to the curious 
animal called the Cape Spine-foot. The generic name Acanthodactylus, signifies Thorn, or 
Spine-toed, and is very appropriately given to this animal and the other species of the same 
genus. All the Spine-foot Lizards are inhabitants of Africa, and most of them are found 
towards the northern portion of that continent. 
According to Dr. Smith, “this Lizard is found on the sandy districts of Great Namaqua- 
land, and where the surface of the country is irregular it is generally met on the highest spots. 
Where small sand-hills occur, it resorts to them in preference to the other localities, and from 
the peculiar assistance it derives from the serrated fringes which edge its toes, it runs over the 
loose sand on the steep surfaces of those slopes with great activity. It feeds on insects.” 
The color of this Lizard is a very peculiar brown above, changing from yellow-brown to a 
much warmer hue, partaking of the orange. The top of the head is mottled with dark brown, 
and the back is freckled with the same hue. Prom the eyes run two whitish bands on each 
side, the lower terminating at the hind-leg and the upper reaching some distance along the 
tail. Between and about these bands are bold brown mottlings in the male, and an orange 
wash in the female. The upper part of the legs are also mottled with dark brown. The toes 
are very long, especially those of the hind-foot, and are edged with a fringe composed of 
sharply pointed scales. The female is larger and more clumsily made than the male. 
Anothee pretty species of Lizard, termed the Nam aqua Eeemias, is found the portion of 
Africa from which it derives its name. The name Eremias signifies a dweller in a wilderness, 
and is given to this and several other species because it is always found in hot and arid situa- 
tions, the sandy flats between Cape Town and Little Namaqua-land being its most favored 
localities. 
It is chiefly remarkable for the great length and slenderness of its tail, which measures 
five and a half inches in length, although the head and body together are only two inches long. 
The color of the back and upper parts is delicate brown mottled with a deeper hue, and along 
the back are drawn four narrow lines of light reddish orange. The sides are cream-yellow, 
the upper portions of the legs are olive-brown, and the under surface of the animal is yellow- 
ish-white. There is a trifling variation in the coloring, according to the age of the individual. 
Thirteen or fourteen species of this genus are known to zoologists, most of them being natives 
of Africa. 
Oue last example of the true Lizards or Lacertinidse is the curious little creature termed 
the Elegant Ophiops. Two species are known as belonging to this genus, and they can at 
once be separated from the true Lizards by the character of the eyelids, which are only rudi- 
mentary and hardly visible, so as to have gained for their owners the generic title of Ophiops, 
or Serpent-eyed Lizards. 
The Elegant Ophiops inhabits the south-eastern portions of Europe, and the neighboring 
parts of Asia. The shores of the Mediterranean appear to be favorite localities of the Ophiops, 
and in those places it is not at all uncommon. It is lively and active in character, and, like 
Vol. III.— 7. ’ ’ 
