Zoology.'] NATUEAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. IReptiles. 



attempt to bite, but hisses loudly wlieu much vexed ; at other 

 times giving a geutle snuffling soi't of cough, such as babies emit 

 before they are weaned. Like many other Lizards, the skin forms 

 longitudinal wrinkles along the sides when quiet, but when irritated 

 it inflates the skin of the body, swelling to a considerably larger 

 size than before, and then the wnukles disappear. 



In habits this Lizard is much less arboreal, as Mr. Kershaw 

 informs me, than the Hydrosaicrus varius, or Lace Lizard, the 

 latter always endeavouring to escape up a tree when alarmed, 

 while the present species keeps on the ground and escapes into 

 holes in the earth. The Hych'osaurus is a good swimmer, but this 

 Monitor is most common in waterless districts. It is much less 

 timid or inclined to escape, and is much less vicious in the use of 

 its teeth than the Lace Lizard. M. Boulanger merges the sub- 

 genera Hydrosaurus and Monitor in Varanus, but the difference in 

 habit seems to give additional importance to the small structural 

 differences, and I therefore prefer to retain them for the present. 



The specimen figured is from Kewell, north of Murtoa, near 

 Horsham, one of several obtained through the good offices of 

 Mr. Jos. Hill, of that district. 



Explanation of Fioubbs. 



Plate 151. — Fig. 1, average specimen, half natural size. Fig. la, top view of head, 

 natural size, showing the small, rounded vertex plate, small plates of crown of head, and still 

 smaller ones over orbit. Fig. \b. side view of head, natural size. Fig, Ic, under-side of anterior 

 foot, natural size, to show granular palm, and prominent, transverse ridges of scales on toes. 

 Fig. \d, tongue, natural size, with sheath at base. Fig. le, scales of belly, magnified four 

 diameters. Fig. 1/, scales of back, magnified four diameters. Fig. Ig, scales of tail, magnified 

 four diameters. Fig l/», teeth, magnified five diameters. 



Frederick McCoy. 



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