62 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



Amphibolurus, composed of sixteen species, also restricted 

 to Australia, has a large and thick head ; the body is much 

 depressed ; the tail is rounded. 



The Bearded Lizard, A. barbatus, of South Australia, 

 has the sides of the neck covered with numerous spines, 

 while the skin of the throat is covered with bristle-like 

 scales, which, when the mouth is opened, are erected in 

 the manner of the frill in Chlamydosaurus, presenting a 

 likeness to a beard. The tail of the creature is covered 

 with large spinose scales, arranged in more or less regular 

 cross series, forming a very formidable weapon of defence, 

 and with which it is able to inflict quite serious wounds. 



The eggs of this creature, usually eight in number, are 

 connected by membrane in a row. 



The Bearded Lizard is imported to this country in large 

 numbers, and is, for some unknown reason, frequently 

 offered for sale under the name of the Frilled Lizard, to 

 which it bears not the slightest resemblance. Specimens 

 I have kept were strictly carnivorous. 



The genus Physignathus embraces semi-aquatic lizards, 

 natives of Australia, Siam, and Cochin-China. With 

 their large and thick heads they are not very unlike 

 Amphibolurus in appearance ; the tail and body, however, 

 are compressed, while a low dorsal and nuchal crest is 

 constant in all seven species. 



Lesueur's Lizard, P. lesueuri, restricted to Queensland, 

 where it is very abundant, is a hardy, though nervous 

 creature, living for years in confinement if given roomy 

 quarters ; in a small cage, however, it sulks and refuses to 

 take food, the latter consisting of both vegetable and 

 animal matter. In colour it is of a light brown or grey 



