LIZARDS. 73 



disposition, springing at and biting any object placed near them, uttering a hoarse, 

 hissing noise, and also striking savagely whipwise with their rough attenuate tails. 

 The blows thus delivered were, in fact, dealt with such vigour as to smartly sting the 

 hand if exposed to the impact. This flagellating method of attack manifested by 

 Chlamydosaurus must, it may be anticipated, prove very disconcerting to a foe 

 previously unfamiliar with the animal's peculiar aggressive tactics. After a very 

 short interval of confinement and hand-feeding, however, even these two irascible 

 individuals abandoned their previous aggressive tendencies, and became quite 

 domesticated. 



An even higher scientific interest than the abnormal development of the 

 frill-like membrane that encircles the creature's neck attaches itself to the very 

 remarkable manner in which Chlamydosaurus progresses along the surface of the 

 ground. In this respect it is apparently unique among the existing members of 

 its tribe. The rumour that the Frilled Lizard was in the habit of running erect on its 

 hind legs only was communicated to the author some years ago, and is also recorded 

 by Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society for 

 the year 1874, in an interesting article by that accomplished geologist entitled " Forms 

 intermediate between Birds and Reptiles." The present writer failed, however, to verify 

 this assertion through the single living Queensland example he had in captivity for a 

 short interval ; and neither was a friend in the northern district of the Colony 

 more fortunate, who, at special request, experimented with several specimens. It 

 was, on these grounds, anticipated that the rumour, which had been previously 

 received, was the outcome of an optical illusion ; more particularly since many 

 lizards, such as certain of the slighter-built Amphiboluri, run so erect on their haunches 

 that it might be imagined their fore-limbs were raised from the ground. 



It was consequently with much gratification and delight that, on becoming the 

 owner of several specimens, including the one brought to England, obtained with 

 the assistance of the aborigines of Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, the writer 

 found himself in a position to scientifically demonstrate for the first time the truth 

 of the report concerning the erect gait of Chlamydosaurus that had been received in 

 Queensland. Possibly the specimens previously experimented with had been slightly 

 injured during capture, and lacked the stamina to walk upright. At all events, the 

 Roebuck Bay examples, brought in straight from the bush, were in vigorous health, and 

 at the first trial when left at liberty, save for a light retaining cord, ran along almost 



perfectly erect, with both their fore-limbs and long tails elevated clear of the ground. 

 K 



