146 THE VIVARIUM. 
Phrynosoma blainvilli’) was shedding its outer skin, and the pro- 
cess appeared a difficult one, since the skin was dried and adhered 
closely. One day it occurred to me that it might facilitate matters 
if I should give the animal a wetting ; so, taking it up, I carried 
it to a wash-basin of water near by, and suddenly tossed the 
Lizard inthe water. The first surprise was probably experienced 
by the Phrynosoma, but the next was my own, for on one side of 
the basin there suddenly appeared a number of spots of red fluid, 
which resembled blood... ... A microscope was soon procured, 
and an examination was made, which immediately showed that 
the matter ejected was really blood. 
‘*The affair now became very interesting. Just where the 
blood came from I could not determine with certainty, the whole 
thing having happened so suddenly and unexpectedly ; yet the 
appearance seemed to indicate that the blood came from the 
region about one of the eyes. There appeared to be a con- 
siderable quantity of the blood, since on the sides of the vessel 
and on the wall near it I counted ninety of the little splotches. 
A consultation was had with Mr. Stejneger the next day with 
regard to the propriety of dashing the animal into the water 
again, to discover, if possible, where the blood came from. It 
was thought, however, that such blood-lettings must be somewhat 
exhausting, and that it would be better to allow the animal a day 
to recuperate. While talking, I picked up the Lizard, and was 
holding it between my thumb and middle finger, and stroking its 
horns with my fore-finger. All at once a quantity of blood was 
thrown out against my fingers, and a portion of it ran down on the 
animal’s neck; and this blood came directly out of the right eye.”’ 
The above interesting quotation is made by Mr. Stejneger, in 
his official report on the ‘‘ Reptiles of the Death Valley Expedi- 
tion,’’ who also produces other testimony in support of the 
assertion that the Horned Lizard has the power of throwing, 
even to a distance of 15in., a blood-red fluid. 
Dr. Stradling says that the Horned Lizard may be ‘‘ commonly 
seen in Californian houses, not in a cage, but secured with a 
long, narrow, bright ribbon, catching flies and spiders through 
the day, and burrowing at night in a box of sand provided for 
the purpose.’’ The animal is not very lively while in captivity, 
