372 THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



tribes in every part of the country. The reptile itself, whether 

 dead or alive, was an object of universal fear among them. 

 JMr. Colenso says that he never heard its cry. 



Key to the Species. 



1. Skiu of the back rough. N. rudis. 

 Skin of the back smooth. 2 



2. Back with pale spots or lines. N. elegans. 

 Colour of back uniform. N. grayi. 



The Spotted Lizard. — Kakariki. 

 Naxltiitus elegans. 



Upper surface green, with two series of yellow or white spots, which 

 are sometimes margined with black, on the back and tail. Lower surface 

 yellowish white. Length, about 4^4 in., of which more than half belongs 

 to the tail. Very variable in its markings. Sometimes the spots are 

 replaced by streaks, and rarely there is a yellow streak down the middle 

 of the back. LTsually there are some spots on the head. Both islands of 

 New Zealand. 



Although this lizard is most commonly found on the low land, 

 a specimen has been obtained by Mr. Brough under stones among 

 the snow near the top of Mount Arthur, in the district of Nelson. 

 It was only 2.7 in. long. 



The Green Lizard. — Kakariki. 



Naultinus grayi. 



LTjDper surface green, sometimes with minute black dots. Lower surface 

 yellowish white. Length, about six and a half inches, of which the tail 

 occupies more than one half. Xorth Island only. Common. 



The time of gestation of this lizard must be long, at least five 

 and a half months, as a specimen kept by "Sir. Colenso, which was 

 caught on December 29th, 1885, gave birth to two young ones 

 on June 8th, 1886. These young ones were dead, and each was 

 wrapped in a semi-transparent membrane, showing that the birth 

 was premature. They measured about three-quarters of an inch 

 in length, and were green on the back, shaded off in spots to 

 lighter green, and almost to white in some of the little knobs and 

 slight hollows. The mother was entirely green, and was six 

 inches and a half in length. A yellow variety has been found 



