LIZARDS. 99 



and kindred sporting papers. Several varieties of lizard pets at the present time in 

 the writer's possession were obtained through such media. Included in this collection 

 is a handsome grey, red-striped Skink, Eumceus algeriensis, from Mogador ; a couple of 

 specimens of the Ocellated Lizard, Lacerta ocellata ; two or three Egyptian and 

 other Geckos; and an example of the specially interesting New Zealand or 

 Tuatara Lizard, Sphenodon punctatus. All of these types are essentially carnivorous 

 and thrive on a diet of beetles, worms, snails and every other description of " small 

 game" commonly accessible within a garden boundary. Apart, in fact, from their 

 intrinsic interest, lizards can be most highly recommended as a companion hobby to 

 the horticulturist, to whom probably no better additional stimulus towards keeping 

 his grounds clear of insect and kindred pests could be provided than the pampering 

 of the somewhat fastidious appetites of his reptilian pets. Earwigs, caterpillars, 

 cockchafers, woodlice, et hoc genus omne, will at all times prove a most welcome 

 bonne bouche to some one or other of his interesting pensioners. The maintenance 

 of their larder in an efficiently replenished state will be found at the same time to 

 exert a most beneficial influence towards the permanent reduction of the ranks of 

 these garden enemies. 



The New Zealand Lizard, Sphenodon punctatus, may indeed be recommended as 

 a most useful auxiliary in the garden, independently of any natural history claims. 

 The specimen in the writer's possession has shown itself to be partial not only to 

 worms, beetles, caterpillars, and all manner of insects, but it has displayed a most 

 distinct penchant for slugs, and will attack and devour with the greatest gusto the 

 huge field slugs, Limax ater and Arion rufus. Sphenodon being to a large extent 

 nocturnal in its habits, it is abroad and on the qui vive at the season commonly 

 elected by these gasteropods for their depredations. It has been proved, moreover, 

 at the Zoological Gardens that this lizard is quite capable of withstanding our 

 English climate without any protection beyond its own earth burrow, within which it 

 retires by day and hibernates during the winter months. 



Much of the increasing popularity of the Lizard class has no doubt been brought 

 about through the recent addition of an admirably organised Reptile House to the 

 Zoological Society's Menagerie, in the Eegent's Park. To promote the study and 

 dissemination of knowledge of and interest in all varieties of reptiles, including 

 snakes as well as lizards, at which many will doubtless elect, as is done in this 

 Chapter, to draw the line, an association, styling itself the " Reptilian Society," has 

 been recently established under the able Presidentship of Dr. Arthur Stradling. 



