LIZARDS. 159 
believe, the authorities at the Zoological Gardens, Regent’s Park, 
have been able to dispose of them for so low a sum as £2 a pair. 
Nevertheless, there is still the danger that before long they will 
become extinct. The climate of this country naturally suits these 
New Zealand Reptiles very well; so much so, indeed, that they 
are able to pass the winter cut of doors, even when it is unusually . 
cold, but of course in a state of hibernation. 
The following is Dr. J. E. Giay’s description of the Hatteria : 
‘““Head, quadrangular, covered with small scales; throat, lax, 
with a cross fold behind; nape and back, with a crest of com- 
pressed spines ; body, covered with small and larger scales ; belly 
and underside of tail with large, squarish, keelless, flat scales, 
- placed in cross series; tail, compressed, triangular, covered with 
small scales, and with a ridge of large compressed spines; legs, 
strong; toes 5—5 short, strong, cylindrical, slightly webbed at 
the base, covered above and below with small scales ; claws, short, 
blunt ; femoral (inner part of thigh) pores, none; preanal scales, 
small, a few of them are pierced in the centre.” I have often 
heard people, when looking at my own Tuateras, remark upon 
the rabbit-like appearance.of their head. A glance at the 
illustration (Fig. 52), will show that is by no means a bad 
comparison. 
The Tuatera Lizard, which is very stoutly-built and about 
19in. in length when full grown, is extremely sluggish in the day- 
time, but by no means inactive during the night. In the day 
_they will sometimes remain in exactly the same position for hours. 
I remember suddenly coming across a pair of these creatures in a 
glass case which contained no gravel, water or food, nothing but 
the Reptiles, and I think that my first impression—that they 
were stuffed—was quite a natural one. They were standing with 
their large eyes wide open, perfectly still and apparently taking 
no notice of anything at all. If lifted gently by the body, they 
may be handled guite safely, for they will not attempt to bite ; 
but it is not wise to catch them by the tail, as they probably 
would resent such a liberty. 
Some time ago, I was looking at the various animals in a very 
large dealer’s establishment, when I made a remark about a fine 
pair of Tuateras which I saw in a big cage. The assistant who 
