1835.] TERRESTRIAL AM13LYRHYNCIIUS. o?.", 



They inhabit burrows, which they sometimes make between 

 fragments of lava, but more generally on level patches of the soft 

 sandstone-like tuff. The holes do not appear to be very deep, and 

 they enter the ground at a small angle; so that when walking 

 over these lizard-warrens, the soil is constantly giving way, much 

 to the annoyance of the tired walker. This animal, when making 

 its burrow, works alternately the opposite sides of its body. One 

 front leg for a short time scratches up the soil, and throws it 

 towards the hind foot, which is well placed so as to heave it 

 beyond the mouth of the hole. That side of the body being tired, 

 the other takes up the task, and so on alternately. 1 watched one 

 for a long time, till half its body was buried ; I then walked up 

 and pulled it by the tail ; at this it was greatly astonished, and 

 soon shuffled up to see what was the matter; and then stared 

 me in the face, as much as to say, "What made you pull my 

 tail ? " 



They feed by day, and do not wander far from their burrows ; 

 if frightened, they rush to them with a most awkward gait. 

 Except when running down hill, they cannot move very fast, 

 apparently from the lateral position of their legs. They are not 

 at all timorous: when attentively watching any one, they curl 

 their tails, and, raising themselves on their front legs, nod their 

 heads vertically, with a quick movement, and try to look very 

 fierce : but in reality they are not at all so : if one just stamps 

 on the ground, down go their tails, and off they shuffle as quickly 

 as they can. I have frequently observed small fly-eating lizards, 

 when watching anything, nod their heads in precisely the same 

 manner; but I do not at all know for what piirpose. If this 

 Amblyrhyuchus is held and plagued with a stick, it will bite it 

 very severely ; but I caught many by the tail, and they never tried 

 to bite me. If two are placed on the ground and held together, 

 they will fight, and bite each other till blood is drawn. 



The individuals, and they are the greater number, which inhabit 

 the lower country, can scarcely taste a drop of water throughout 

 the year; but they consume much of the succulent cactus, the 

 branches of which are occasionally broken off by the wind. I 

 several times threw a piece to two or three of them when 

 together; and it was amusing enough to see them trying to seize 

 and carry it away in their mouths, like so many hungry dogs with 

 a bone. They eat very deliberately, but do not chew their food. 



