What is "lacerta viridis"

Lacerta \La*cer"ta\, n. [L. a lizard. See Lizard.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of lizards. See Lizard.

   Note: Formerly it included nearly all the known lizards. It is now restricted to certain diurnal Old World species, like the green lizard ( Lacerta viridis) and the sand lizard ( Lacerta agilis), of Europe.

2. (Astron.) The Lizard, a northern constellation.