“will be found in this Family. The Phrynosoma, with its fat body and short tail, immediately reminds us of a toad. Megalochilus has much of the same shape, but seems to have a large pair of rounded ears standing out from the sides of the head. Those of the sub-genera of Draco are most extraordinary reptiles; the Sitana has an enormous pouch under the throat, which it can swell out so as to appear like a Tetraodon, or porcupine fish. Chlamydosaurus, again, is provided with an immense fringe round the throat, perfectly resembling the broad collars worn by ladies of the present day. The flying lizards (Draco), however, even surpass these, for they possess a distinct pair of wings, attached to the sides of their body, supported by rays, and capable of being expanded or folded at pleasure. These extraordinary reptiles, however, are by no means formidable; they are all of a comparatively small size, live in trees, and feed only upon insects. Of their peculiar habits, however, in other respects, we unfortunately are at present ignorant. There can be no doubt that these wings are used to support them in the air, when leaping from bough to bough, much in the same manner as the loose skin that performs that office among the flying squirrels.”[1]
The Agamadæ are spread over both hemispheres, but are most numerous in the tropical regions of Asia and Africa. They feed chiefly on insects, but some are said to be herbivorous; and seem to affect dry, stony places.
- ↑ “Classification of Reptiles,” ii. 161.
