:io'2 Transactions. — Zoology. 



Beyond the repetition of certain vague second-hand rumours, 

 however, I had until lately never met with any success. The 

 lizard, like the taniwha, was apparently a creature of whom all 

 had heard but none had seen, and if it had not been for the well- 

 authenticated specimen of Waima I should have been tempted 

 to classify it amongst the fabled monsters of imagination. 



During a recent visit to Hokianga, however, in the course of 

 a conversation with Mr. John Webster, of Opononi, the ultimate 

 referee in all Hokianga matters, this gentleman informed me 

 that shortly after his coming to the district, some fifty years ago, 

 he had seen an animal which may have been one of the sought-for 

 species. He was exploring in a rocky part of the Wairiri Creek 

 — a tributary of the Hokianga River — when he saw what he 

 described as a lizard about 18 in. long of a yellowish colour. 

 While looking about for a stick or stone wherewith to despatch 

 it the reptile slipped down into the water, and quickly disap- 

 peared amongst the boulders in the bottom of the stream. 

 Whether it was one of the same species there is not sufficient 

 evidence for exact proof, but we have at least the fact established 

 of a lizard of about the required dimensions, of amphibious 

 habits, and found in a locality connected with the Waoku Plateau 

 by a continuous forest. In the absence of any proof to the con- 

 trary, therefore, I think it may be fairly assumed that the species 

 are identical, and that at that period at least the animal was 

 pretty widely distributed. 



My object in presenting these very sketchy notes is the hope 

 that the information, scanty as it is, may lead to further research. 

 Although a road has been made over the plateau, the place is still 

 very much in its primitive condition. Some attempt at occupa- 

 tion was made some ten or fifteen vears ago, but though a good 

 deal of bush was cut down no very effective settlement took 

 place. The swampy nature of the soil, which is nothing but a. 

 thick layer of vegetable humus, and the too abundant n 

 made a successful •'hum" impracticable, and after some more 

 or less futile efforts to clear the land the attempt at settlement 

 was generally oned. The clearings are last reverting to 



bush, and the primseval forest which still occupies the greatest 

 part of the surface remains practically intact, if. as seems to 

 be the case, the animal is amphibious and probably a tree- 

 climber, these qualities should help to secure it from the ravages 

 of the wild pi<i. which would otherwise have probahlv exter- 

 minated it before this, as they have done in the case of the 

 buatara wherever they have had access. 



Taking all things into consideration, therefore, I think th 

 is little doubt thai a careful and intelligent search would result 

 in the addition of an interesting species to the list of the New 

 Zealand fauna. 



