REPTILIAN LIVERIES. 157 



itself appear more formidable than it really is, or 

 save itself the trouble and expense of carrying 

 out its threat in those cases where the ability to 

 do this exists. That is to say, it adopts the 

 policy of " bluffing," which, as in human affairs, 

 is very often effective. 



Among the lizards a very good instance is 

 furnished by the Moustached lizard (Phryno- 

 cephalus mystaceus). This is an inhabitant of 

 Transcaspia and Southern Russia, and when 

 threatened becomes violently excited, raises itself 

 upon its hind limbs, curls and uncurls its tail, 

 and opens its mouth to its widest extent ; with 

 the result that it assumes a quite fearsome 

 aspect. This effect is largely enhanced by the 

 fact that the corners of the mouth are provided 

 with flaps of skin, which, in excitement, swell up 

 into half-moon shaped plates, the inner surfaces 

 of w"hich pass gradually into the rosy lining of 

 the mouth, thereby causing it to appear much 

 larger than it really is. 



The frilled-lizard, a native of Northern and 

 North-Western Australia, can assume an even 

 more formidable aspect when threatened by a 

 superior force. This is done by means of an 

 enormous frill encircling the head. This frill is 

 supported by the horns of the tongue-bones, 

 which are extraordinarily elongated, projecting 

 from the throat, on either side of the head, into 

 the frill like the ribs of an umbrella. When 

 brought to bay, the red-lined mouth, armed with 

 teeth, is opened to its fullest extent, and the 

 frill is spread so as to stand out like two huge 

 wings on either side of the head, with the result 



