MONITORS. 117 



the chinks of the former, or in the irregular 

 cavities of the latter ; and when any irregularities 

 exist upon the surface of the rocks or stones, 

 it clasps them so firmly with its toes, that it 

 becomes a task of no small difficulty to dislodge 

 it, even though it can be easily reached. Under 

 such circumstances the strength of no one man 

 is able to withdraw a full-grown individual ; and 

 I have seen two persons required to pull a speci- 

 men out of a position it had attained, even with 

 the assistance of a rope fixed in front of its 

 hinder legs. The moment it was dislodged it 

 flew with fury at its enemies, who by flight only 

 saved themselves from being bitten. After it was 

 killed it was discovered that the points of all the 

 nails had been broken previously, or at the mo- 

 ment it lost its hold. It feeds upon frogs, crabs, 

 and small quadrupeds ; and from its partiality 

 to the two former, it is often found among rocks 

 near to springs or running streams ; which fact 

 having been observed by the natives, has led them 

 to regard it as sacred, and not to be injured with- 

 out danger of drought."* 



Genus Teius, (Merr.)^ 



This limited genus of large Lizards is by some 

 zoologists made the type of a separate Family ; 

 but they seem to have so many affinities with 

 the Monitors of the Old World as to be rightly 

 associated with them. In many of their habits 

 they agree with the aquatic forms we have just 

 described, and partake of a similar name and re- 

 putation, being commonly known as Sauvegardes. 



* lUust. Zool. S. Afr. 



