68 Transactions. — Zoology. 



seeds from various countries had become so extensive that it 

 was ahuost certain much foreign animal Hfe, some useful 

 and some destructive, would be brought into the colony. It 

 was also pointed out that, in order that the noxious forms might 

 be more speedily detected, and to prevent confusion in future 

 publications, it was advisable that the occurrence of unknown 

 or uncommon species in a district should be promptly recorded. 



The importation which I have now to notice is much higher 

 in the scale than those already mentioned. It is the English 

 Scaly Lizard (probably famiUar to many persons present who 

 in their young days rambled about the English country dis- 

 tricts). As its food consists exclusively of insects, it is not 

 likely to prove an unwelcome visitor. 



Several specimens were captured about a year ago, on the 

 Tinakori Hills, and one on the road, as it was crossing from the 

 Botanic Gardens towards the shelter of the opposite bank. 

 Being certain that it was quite distinct from any described New 

 Zealand species, I took it to be a new form, and it was not until 

 recently, when working up the specimens, that I became con- 

 vinced it was a true British species. 



As I have only found it in the localities mentioned, I con- 

 clude some specimens must have been brought to the Botanic 

 Gardens in cases of plants. The following is the technical 

 description : — 



ZOOTOCA. 



Nostril on one side of the nose, in the lower hinder angle of 

 the nasal shield, with one small posterior nasal. Lower eyelid 

 opaque, scaly. Throat with a narrow cross-fold under the ears. 

 Abdominal shields square. Temple scales small, with a larger 

 central one. Pre-anal shield single, surrounded by smaller 

 ones. 



Z. vivipara. 

 (Gray, Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus., p. 27.) 



Ventral shields, 8-rowcd ; the temple covered with many- 

 sided shields, Avith a larger central shield ; olive, back with a 

 white-edged blackish streak on each side, and a central black 

 streak ; belly orange, black spotted. 



According to Wood, many of the habits of this pretty little 

 creature resemble those of our common brown lizard, or Moko- 

 moko, so abundant on the hills and beaches around Wellington. 



In England, it is found plentifully upon the banks and com- 

 mons ; it is extremely lively, and progresses by means of a series 

 of shai'p twists and springs. It captures flies and other insects 

 with great dexterity. So quick arc its movements, and so sharp 

 its sight, that capture is far from easy. The colour is extremely 

 variable, but generally the upper parts are olive-brown, with a 

 dark brown line often interrupted along the middle of the back, 



