Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/117

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AGAMAS.
109

Genus Phrynosoma (Wiegm.).

In this singular genus, whose orbicular form scarcely recals the idea of a lizard, the tail is flattened, and shorter than the body; the whole form greatly depressed; the body nearly globular; the scales on the belly, limbs, and tail, are small and overlapping; those of the upper parts rather larger, and interspersed with longitudinal rows of spines; the hind head is set with large spines.

TAPAYAXIN.

The best known species is the Tapayaxin of Mexico (Phrynosoma orbiculare, Wagl.), sometimes called the Spinous Toad. “The extraordinary figure of this reptile, approaching almost