233 APPEN DIX .
Testudo Mydas, Lin.
Crocodilus.
The long muzzle (swelled at the base) of the crocodile of the Gambia
certainly approached it to that of St. Domingo, but I did not sufficiently
examine it to decide on its species. I purchased one during Mr. Bowdich’s
illness, at his request, but it died and was thrown away, before I even
thought of inquiring for it.
O f the numerous lizards running in all directions, within and without
the houses, I only noted one, of the head of which I made a drawing,
fig. 56. The genus Agama is distinguished by the projecting scales of
various parts of the body, and especially near the ears, sometimes in
groupes, sometimes isolated. I should therefore think, that my lizard
was a new species of this genus, as the groups of scales were inserted upon
fleshy tubercles: the scales of the tail projected. It was one foot long,
of a yellowish-brown, slightly tinged with azure on the back; a yellow
stripe was on each side of this brown band, then a brown stripe speckled
with white and black, which was succeeded by a buff stripe speckled
with white ; the legs were brown, speckled with white. I heard nothing
of the Iguanas which abound at the Isles de Los ; of those large, dark
gray lizards, with enormous orange crests, which I have so often seen at
Cape C oast; or of the Camelions, brought to me in such numbers while
on the River Gabon.
The forests of Mandingo are filled with snakes of various kinds, but I
only saw that which abounds at Banjole, occasionally coming into the
houses, and said to be very venomous. It belonged to the genus Yipera,
and was 4 feet 6 inches lon g; it was of a brown colour, with a narrow
yellowish stripe in the middle of the back, and a light indistinct stripe on
each side. The belly was of a pale yellow.