64 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



require tremendous heat, combined with plenty of sun- 

 shine, and during the summer months, when these con- 

 ditions are obtainable, they are fairly active, consuming 

 large quantities of meal-worms and lettuce. In the 

 autumn, however, when the sun has failed to put in an 

 appearance for several days in succession, they become 

 sluggish, refuse all food, and remain stretched out with 

 their eyes closed, as if dead, and only a very small percent- 

 age live through our winter. 



The Spiny Lizard, or York Devil, Moloch horridus, a 

 small, six-inch-long lizard, inhabiting the arid districts of 

 Southern and Western Australia, is the sole representative 

 of its genus. It is without doubt by a long way the most 

 grotesque of all lizards, for the entire body, head, and limbs 

 are covered with enormous spines, the largest, which 

 are nearly half an inch long, being situated above the eyes, 

 in front of the ear, and on each side, behind the angle of 

 the mouth ; the neck, which is as long as the head, and 

 separated from it by a fold, is provided with a transverse 

 row of spines, followed by a globular protuberance, covered 

 with enlarged scales, and a pair of large conical projections 

 pointing forwards and backwards. The head is small and 

 short, the eye minute. The colour of this creature is 

 chestnut brown, with symmetrical markings of black and 

 yellow. 



In spite of its repulsive appearance, the York Devil is 

 in reality quite harmless, relying merely on its spiky 

 armour for protection. The two specimens kept by the 

 writer did not live long, as at the maximum temperature 

 with which he was able to provide them, 75^-80°, they 

 evidently felt chilled, and refused to feed. Their food is 



