LIZARD, Lacertct, a genus of saurian reptiles, the type of a numerous group, in which monitors (q.v.), etc., are included, and to which the mcgalosaurus and other large fossil saurians are referred. The name lizard is indeed often extended to all the saurian rep tiles; but in its more restricted sense it is applied only to a family, lacertida, none of which attain a large size, whilst most of thern are small, active, brilliantly colored, and bright-eyed creatures, loving warmth and sunshine, abounding chiefly in the warmer parts of the old world. They have a lona-, extensile, forked tongue; the body is gen erally long, and terminates in a rather lonetail; the feet have each five toes, furnished with claws; the upper parts are covered with small, imbricated scales; the scales of the under parts are larger; a collar of broad scales surrounds tbe neck; the bones of the skull advance over the temples and orbits; the back part of the palate is armeli with two rows of teeth. They feed chiefly on insects. Britain produces only two welf-ascer tained species: the SAND LIZARD (L. agila or L. stirplum), about 7 in. long, variable in color and marking, but generally sandy brown on the upper parts, blotched with darker brown, and having a lateral series of black, rounded spots, each of which has a yellowish-white dot or liue in the center; and the COMMON LIZARD, or VIVIPAROUS LIZ ARD (zootoca vevipara), smaller, more slender, very variable in color, ft dark-brown gener ally prevailing on the upper parts. The former species is comparatively rare; it inhabits
sandy heaths: the latter is abundant in dry moors and sand-banks. They differ remark ably in the former being oviparous, the latter viviparous, or, more strictly speaking, ovoviviparous. Both are harmless creatures, as are all the rest of this family. Larger species are found in the more southern parts of Europe. Some of the lizards are quite susceptible of being tamed. They are remarkable for the readiness with which the end of the tail breaks off; the flinging of a glove or handkerchief on one when it is trying to make its escape is often enough to cause the separation of this portion, which lies wrig ling whilst the animal hastens away. The lost portion is afterwards reproduced. Lizards becotne torpid in winter.