THE HABITS OF LIZARDS. 
The stump-tailed lizard [Trachydosaurus rugosus) is one ^ 
of the remarkable forms of the order Sauria^ of which there 
are many families and endless genera and species. Many 
of them abound in tropical countries ; they inhabit various 
localities. Some species live on the dry sandy deserts, 
while others are always inhabitants of the moist swamps 
on banks of rivers. They swim with great ease, and are 
equally at home in the forest, living in the branches of 
trees. The endless variety of form and habits would 
occupy too much space to more than allude to one or 
two small species. Draco volans possesses the power of 
partly flying by the aid of a membrane or extension of the 
skin on the sides of the animal, this skin being supported 
by the elongation of the ribs. Others by their sucker-like 
feet and toes are enabled to run or walk on the ceiling, or 
up the smooth surface of glass like a fly, the feet of which 
are also provided with a structure adapted for the same 
purpose. 
Little is really generally known at home or abroad con- 
cerning lizards. They are perfectly harmless in them- 
selves, but are invariably much feared and regarded as 
venomous by all who have no knowledge of them further 
than from hearsay or from seeing them at a distance. No 
lizard possesses poisonous teeth or glands, although it is a 
common belief among the natives of the countries inhabited 
by them that they do. 
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