244 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
securing itself by holding whatever it can grasp by the tail. It 
seldom opens the mouth, except for fresh air; and, when that 
is supplied, discovers its satisfaction by its motions, and the 
frequent changes of its colour. The tongue is sometimes 
darted out after its prey, which are Hies ; and this is as long 
as the whole body. The eyes are remarkably little, though 
they stand out of the head ; but the most extraordinary 
part of their conformation is, that the animal often moves 
one eye, when the other is entirely at rest; nay, sometimes 
one eye will seem to look directly forward, while the other 
looks backward ; and one will look upwards, while the 
other regards the earth. 
To this class of lizards we may refer the Dragon, a most 
terrible animal ; if we were to credit the invention of fable 
and superstition. Happily, however, such ravages are no 
where found to exist at present ; and the whole race of 
dragons is dwindled down to the Hying lizard, a little harm- 
less creature, that only preys upon insects, and even seems 
to embellish the forest with its beauty. 
The Siren is a creature not less extraordinary. It is the 
only bi cd in this class of animals. In Carolina itis called 
the Mud Iguana, as it is chiefly found in muddy and 
swampy places. 
The Tarantula is rather famous for the horror which it 
excites in the inhabitants of Italy, than for any other pro- 
perty. It is a deformed brown lizard, somewhat thicker 
and rounder than other lizards, and which, like our eft, is 
found in old walls, or under the ruins of buildings. In 
perusing the accounts of naturalists and travellers, it will 
be necessary to observe the distinction between this animal, 
and the spider which is called tarantula, and of which we 
shall speak when we come to treat of insects. 
The last animal of the lizard kind we shall mention, is the 
Chalcidian Lizard, of Aldrovandus, very improperly called 
the Seps, by modern historians. This animal seems to mark 
the shade that separates the lizard from the serpent race. It 
has four legs, like the lizard ; but so short, as to be utterly 
unserviceable in walking ; it has a long slender body, like the 
serpent; anti it is said to have the serpent’s malignity also. 
These animals are found above three feet long, and thick in 
proportion, with a large head, and pointed snout. The whole 
body is covered with scales ; and the belly is white, mixed 
with blue. It has four crooked teeth, and a pointed tail, 
which, however, can inflict no wound. It is viviparous : 
upon the whole, it appears to bear a strong affinity to the 
viper ; and, like that animal, its bite may be dangerous. 
