The Wit of the WUd 



r 



means for " putting up a bluff " in its vast 

 Elizabethan collar or " frill." This consists of 

 a great outgrowth of flesh from behind the ears 

 all the way round under the throat. It is as 

 though the head of the animal were pushed 

 through an umbrella, which lies folded back 

 upon its fore shoulders in ordinary moments. 



This lizard is an inhabitant of Australia and 

 sometimes reaches three feet in length. It seeks 

 its food both in trees and on the ground, where 

 it runs swiftly, and is often seen about gardens. 

 When not disturbed it moves quietly about, 

 but it is highly irascible and the instant it is 

 provoked opens its frills and makes for a tree, 

 where, if overtaken, it throws itself on its 

 haunches, raises its front as high as possible 

 and sinks its head between its shoulders in the 

 center of an inverted umbrella studded with 

 spines and prickles. 



It would certainly be difficult to invent a 

 picture of armament, rage and disgusting quali- 

 ties all together, to exceed this bit of acting, 

 and it is sufficient, many a time, to warn off the 

 attacker who had not thought a peaceful-look- 



