Catesby, Mark. Vol.II, Tab. 68, The Lion Lizard

Mark Catesby The Lion Lizard, Vol.II, Tab. 68 Etching with hand color 19" x 14" sheet From Volume II, Part 9 of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands London: 1739 - 1771 Currently known as the northern curly-tailed lizard, Leiocephalus carinatits and night scented orchid, Epidendrum nocturnum*, Catesby described these subjects as follows: LACERTUS GRISEUS. The Lyon Lizard. These Lizards are usually five or six Inches long; they are all over of a gray Colour, but streaked with Lines of a lighter gray; the Legs are long. It cocks its Tail with a round twirl, and looks fierce, from which it may perhaps have taken its English Name. They are inoffensive, frequenting the Rocks on the Sea Shores of Cuba, Hispaniola, &c. They are nimble, and run with surprising Swiftness, yet are a Prey to Sea Gulls and other ravenous Birds. VISCUM Caryophylloides, foliis longis in apice incisis, floris labello alto trifido, petalis luteis, longis angustissimis. These Plan