from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lacertilia \Lac`er*til"i*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. lacertus a
lizard.] (Zool.)
An order of Reptilia, which includes the lizards.
[1913 Webster]
Note: They are closely related to the snakes, and like the
latter, usually have the body covered with scales or
granules. They usually have eyelids, and most of then
have well-formed legs; but in some groups
(amphisb[ae]na, glass-snake, etc.) the legs are absent
and the body is serpentlike. None are venomous, unless
{Heloderma} be an exception. The order includes the
chameleons, the {Cionocrania}, or typical lizards, and
the amphisb[ae]nas. See {Amphisb[ae]na}, {Gecko}, {Gila
monster}, and {Lizard}.
[1913 Webster]