THE SPINY DE VII ' * * " 99 



lives partly on vegetable matter, it also consumes small 

 insects, flies, worms, and grubs. It seems to feed sparingly, 

 but on this point I cannot speak positively. It roams 

 abroad at all hours of the day, crawling about in an 

 apathetic way ; but when alarmed it mends its pace and 

 endeavours to escape. This it cannot do from man. It 

 lives in burrows which are seldom very deep, and it can 

 easily be unearthed. When 9aptured it puffs with its 

 breath like some other lizards, but it does not emit any 

 cry, and makes no attempt at resistance. If placed on the 

 ground it tries to escape; but after two or three such 

 attempts it remains quiet, either simulating death, or 

 waiting for the danger to pass away. 



It is found singly, or in pairs, and sometimes a few — 

 perhaps as many as five or six — will be found scattered 

 about a small space of ground. I have never found more 

 than one in the same burrow, and know nothing from 

 personal observation of its breeding habits. If the hand is 

 accidentally pricked, or scratched, with the spines when 

 handling the lizard, no ill effects result. The wounds heal 

 as quickly and cleanly as those made by thorns. 



Other lizards, and animals which are usually thought 

 to require moisture, are abundant in this arid scrub. But 

 perhaps the ground and atmosphere are not so dry as 

 they seem to be. I was surprised to experience frequent 

 rainfalls in this scrub at a season of the year when no rain 

 is expected in more favoured parts ; and I heard from old 

 settlers in the neighbourhood, that a considerable amount 

 of rain constantly falls during the year. This has induced 

 many small holders to clear patches of the scrub land to 

 make orchards and market gardens, and these men seem 

 to prosper well — perhaps better than some of their more 

 pretentious neighbours. They all have wells of good 

 water on their small estates, and there seems to be a good 

 prospect of the entire district soon being parcelled out 

 and cultivated. The wells never fail ; and there is, no 

 doubt, an abundant supply of water at a very few feet 

 beneath the surface, which can be obtained in all parts of 

 the desert. Indeed, in what is known as the Ninety-Mile 



