82 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



neck only, presents a not inconsiderable likeness to a stiffened beard. As an outcome 

 of the conspicuous resemblance which to a considerable extent subsists between the 

 abnormally developed neck membranes of the two species between which comparisons 

 have been instituted, it is found that the two forms are apt to be confounded with 

 one another. The name of the Frilled Lizard is not only frequently misapplied to this 

 Amphibolurus, but the species is figured under the name of Chlamydosaurus in one or 

 more standard Natural History works. In addition to the material structural differences 

 between the two forms, it is worthy of remark that the true Frilled Lizard, 

 Chlamydosaurus, is an essentially tropical type, while Amphibolurus barbatus is as 

 characteristically a denizen of the southern or temperate areas of the Australian 

 Continent. 



The Bearded Lizard is one among the several Australian representatives of its 

 tribe that is not unfrequently brought to England and placed on view in the Reptile 

 House of our well-appointed Zoological Gardens. Although it so happened that this 

 particular species was not included among those which the author kept alive, and 

 had an opportunity of making a special study of, during his residence in Australia, 

 the facilities were afforded him while engaged upon this work of securing the 

 accompanying photographs and chronicling the data here recorded of an English 

 imported specimen, very kindly placed at his disposal by Mr. A. E. Harris, F.Z.S., an 

 enthusiastic admirer of the Lacertilian Zoological group. 



Among the points inviting investigation with reference to Amphibolurus, was 

 that of its method of perambulation, its share with Chlamydosaurus of the title 

 of the Frilled Lizard having brought about the attribution to it of a correspond- 

 ing bipedal plan of locomotion. The contour of the body and the small relative 

 size of the hinder limbs, however, by no means encouraged sanguine anticipa- 

 tions in this direction, and as, in fact, practical experiments proved, the gait 

 of Amphibolurus differs in no way from that of the generality of Lizards. One 

 peculiarity, however, which it was found to share with Chlamydosaurus was the 

 free use it made of its tail as a weapon of defence, striking vigorously with this 

 organ right and left at the writer's hand or other presented objects on occasions of 

 abnormal excitement. With the Varani, as hereafter noted, the caudal appendage 

 constitutes a most effective offensive and defensive weapon. As compared with 

 Chlamydosaurus, the body scales of Amphibolurus are considerably larger, those 

 bordering each side of the spine being most conspicuously so and also notable for 

 their sharp trenchant edges. It was found, in fact, that these larger scales could 



