Lizards found in a Chalk Rock. 4{)9 



frosts seem to have sometimes, according to M. Dnpetit Thouars, 

 upon the young shoots, and on the cahces of the flowers. 



LIZARDS FOUND IN A CHAX.K KOCK. 



Dr. Wilkinson lately presented to the Bath Philosophical So- 

 ciety a letter he iiad received from a clert^yman in Suffolk, rela- 

 tive to two lizards beina; discovered by the rev. gentleman in a 

 chalk rock, with some interestin!> circumstances tending to ex- 

 plain vvhv all the ani'nals which have been discovered in rocks, 

 . marbles, &c. die on their exposure to the atmosphere. From ob- 

 servations made, there appeared to be some obstruction in their 

 respiratory organs. One being placed in water disengaged itself 

 from this obstrnction ; while the other died, from not being en- 

 abled to liberate itself from the viscous matter lining the throat. 

 The clergyman in his letter savs : " A pit having been opened in 

 the summer of 181-1, at Elden, Suffolk, for the purpose of raising 

 chalk, I deemed it a favourable opportunity for procuring fossils; 

 accordingly commissioned the men employed to search for and 

 reserve whatever appeared curious. In this search I sometimes 

 assisted, and had the good fortune to be present at the discovery 

 of two lizards imbedded in the solid chalk, fifty feet below the 

 surface. The following is the result of mv observations : — So 

 eompletelv devoid of life did the lizards appear on their first ex- 

 posure to the air, that I actually considered thv^m in a fossil state : 

 judge then of mv surprise wlien, on mv atteiujjtingto take them 

 up, I perceived them move! 1 immediately placed them in the 

 sun, the heat of which soon restored them to animation. In this 

 state I carried them home, and immersed one in water, keeping 

 the other in a drv place. You may perhaps consider it worthy 

 your observation, that the mouths of the lizards were closed up 

 with a glutinous substance. This obstruction seemed to cause 

 them great inconvenience, which was evident from the agitation 

 perceptible in their throats, and from the frequent distension of 

 the jaws, or rctthcr around the jaws and tlie bead ; indeed they 

 •seemed in a state little short of suffocation. Tlie newt which had 

 been immersed in water, after many violent struggles, was at 

 length enabled to open its mouth : this afforded it instant relief, 

 and it evidently derived mucb satisfaction and comfmt from its 

 jiew clement. The other lizard, notwithstanding its repeated en- 

 deavours, was unable to open its month. It died in the course 

 of the nijiht, probably from being <!ebarred the use of its proper 

 element. 'J'he renmining lizard continued alive in the water for se- 

 veral weeks, during which it appeared to increase in size. It dis- 

 liked confinement; and after manyattempts, atlength,toinygreat 

 inortificatiouj effected its escape, nor could I ever after find it." 



(i g 3 cnmiCAL 



