again become green. In a short time,
after remaining in the sunshine, it changed once more to green. Again
it became almost black; and shutting it up in a desk, after half an hour
he was no less surprised than delighted to see the lizard of a brilliant
green, the line down the back only being blackish.

When the animal is excited, the pouch, swelling out, becomes of a
crimson colour. It is covered with excessively small--scarcely
perceptible--scales.

These little creatures are at times very quarrelsome, and will fight
together, frequently both the combatants losing their tails in the
contest; while their pouches swell out as they leap at each other and
struggle furiously.

THE CROWNED TAPAYAXIN.

This is the scientific name of a creature generally known under the
title of the horned-toad, though really a lizard. Its head is of a
light brown, marked with dark spots, the under part being of a dull
yellow; and is armed with long conical spines, set round the edge and
pointing backwards. The back is covered with shorter and stouter
spines, of a triangular shape, extending to the very point of the tail--
also armed with a strong row of spines, which gives it a completely
toothed appearance. The colour of this curiously covered back is grey,
with irregular bands of chestnut-brown across it.

Formidable as it looks, it is not only harmless, but never retaliates
when attacked, and remains perfectly quiet when taken in the hand. It
is also easily tamed, and learns to know its owner, and to take food
from his hand--preferring little red ants, though it eats readily
beetles, flies, and other insects. From its small, rounded form, and
the mode of sitting, it has in all likelihood gained its common name of
the horned-toad.

SNAKES:--THE RATTLESNAKE.

Throughout North America there are no small number and variety of
venomous snakes. The rattlesnakes are perhaps the most numerous,
frequenting all parts of the country, though they generally keep to the
uninhabited portions. They are found on the northern shores of Lake
Superior--though the ground is covered for several months in the year
with snow--and often appear in the regions to the west, in the same
latitude, up to the Rocky Mountains. They would render some districts
uninhabitable, were it not for the signal-giving rattles with which they
are armed. Even quadrupeds are alarmed at the sound, and endeavour to
make their escape from them; and horses, it is said