CROCODILIAN^, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 



483 



Very evidently the last word upon this subject has not yet been said, and opinions 

 are very much divided, a host of supporters appearing upon either side. 



In confinement, as in nature, the Heloderma suspectum is sluggish in 

 its movements. It is not especially timid, and opens its mouth and 

 ejects air in bursts from its lungs at the intruder. Some individuals 

 will seize a stick presented to them and hold on tenaciously. Its breath 

 is fetid, which adds to the forbidding character of the animal. A 

 specimen sent me by Dr. J. G. Gibson from St. Thomas, Arizona, became 

 rather tame, and showed a liking for having the top of its head 

 scratched with a stick. It showed more than* usual interest in passing 

 events, raising itself on its fore feet and elevating its head as though 

 listening. Like most of the individuals kept in confinement it ate 

 readily of raw eggs, lapping them up with the protrusile smooth extrem- 

 ity of the tongue. They also drink water by inserting the nose into 

 the lluid. In climbing up steep places it utilizes its robust tail as a 

 support, and a very slight hold with the powerful claws of the fore feet 

 is sufficient to enable it to raise itself. 



It is not uncommon in the dry and desert regions of southern Ari- 

 zona. I have heard of its occurrence in the adjacent regions of New 

 Mexico, but did not meet with it myself on any of several visits I paid 

 to that country. Dr. Stejneger reports that the Death Valley explor- 

 ing expedition obtained a specimen from the Virgin Kiver in southern 

 Nevada. Dr. Merriam was told by the Mormons that the species occurs 

 in the Lower Santa Clara Valley in southwestern Utah, but it is rare. 



Heloderma suspect mn Cope. 



