gg THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



commonly imported lizard types are the Australian Cyclodi, or Blue-Tongued Lizards, 

 Tiliqua (Cydodns) gigas and T. sdncoides. Several examples of these species are almost 

 always to be seen at the Zoological Gardens, and are frequently procurable from the 

 animal dealers. Except for its relatively slender head, small scales, and tapering, but 

 not elongate, tail, Tiliqua scimoides bears a considerable resemblance to Trachysaurus, 

 the body being thick and the four limbs small in proportion, and closely resembling 

 one another as in that species. 



The data, chronicled in this Chapter, concerning a few of the more remarkable 

 of the Australian Lizards, will, the author hopes, secure for this hitherto much 

 neglected and to a large extent unjustly maligned animal group a more equitable 

 share of that interest and sympathy which is so freely bestowed upon other races. 

 To many, even among the highly educated classes, the very name of reptile is held 

 to be synonymous with a creature of repulsive aspect and accredited poisonous 

 properties. As a matter of fact, there are but two known poisonous lizard species. 

 These are the Helodermse, H. horridum and H. suspectum, which inhabit Mexico. The 

 Monitors or Varani are, as already testified, for the most part unamiable, and, from their 

 size and redundant equipment of teeth and claws, capable of serious aggression. The 

 great majority of the lizard tribe are, however, eminently susceptible of domestication, 

 speedily losing their initial antagonism induced through fear of man, and becoming 

 attached to their owners. For singularity of form, if not for brilliancy of colouration, 

 this animal group possesses few, if any, rivals, while even in this last-named 

 relationship it yields many remarkable exceptions. Birds or fish, by way of example, 

 are rarely more beautifully coloured than the South European Ocellated Lizard, Lacerta 

 ocellata, a species some fifteen or sixteen inches long, that is more or less frequently 

 imported by the animal dealers. The ground colour of the body in this lizard is 

 usually a most brilliant green, and has been likened to an armour of emeralds, while 

 the sides are ornamented with spots of the richest turquoise or azure blue. The 

 smaller Green or Jersey Lizard, Lacerta viridis, which is so abundantly imported from 

 the Channel Islands, affords another familiar instance of notable lacertilian colouration 

 which might be indefinitely multiplied. 



That the Lizard tribe is rapidly coming to the front as one well worthy of the 

 attention of amateur zoologists, is attested to by the increasing numbers in which 

 they are now imported into England and purchased from the dealers by private 

 individuals. Geckos, Skinks, Chameleons and many other lizard types are indeed 

 commonly advertised with other imported pets for sale in the columns of the " Field " 



