AGAMOID GROUP. 127 



drinks, even when water is at hand, and this statement has been confirmed by 

 modern observers. By the Arabs these lizards are frequently tamed and kept in 

 captivity; and their flesh, which resembles that of young chicken, is much 

 relished by them as an article of food. Nothing appears to be known as to their 

 breeding-habits. All the species thrive well in captivity in Europe. It is not 

 improbable', according to Canon Tristram, that the reptile mentioned in Leviticus 

 under the name of tortoise, is really the dabb. 



East African Two nearly allied lizards from East Africa namely, Aporoscelis 



Thorny-Tailed princeps from Zanzibar and Somaliland, and A. batilliferus from 

 Lizards. Somaliland, while resembling the members of the preceding genus 

 in general external characters, differ in the absence of true pores either on the under 

 surface of the body or on the thighs, and are consequently referred to a distinct 

 genus. Both appear to be rare, and are of comparatively small size, the first- 

 named measuring only about 7J inches in length. 



Even more strange and uncouth in appearance than the frilled 

 Moloch Lizard. . ' . r f 



lizard, is another Australian species commonly known as the moloch 



(Moloch horridus), but termed by the settlers the spiny lizard or thorny devil. 

 This, the last remaining representative of the agamoids, differs from all the other 

 members of the family in being covered with large conical spines, and in the con- 

 formation 6f its mouth and teeth. In all the forms described above the mouth is 

 large and the teeth of both jaws are erect, but in the moloch the mouth is very small, 

 and the cheek-teeth of the upper jaw are placed horizontally, with their summits 

 directed inwardly. About 8 inches in total length, this extraordinary lizard has a 

 small head, with an extremely short snout, on the summit of which are pierced the 

 nostrils ; it has a much depressed body, a short and rounded tail, and thick, powerful 

 limbs armed with strong claws. On each side of the head immediately above the 

 small eye is a large horn curving outwards and backwards, while there is a smaller 

 conical spine above the nostril, a second behind the horn over the eye, a third and 

 larger one in front of each ear, as well as one on each side of the occiput. Between 

 these spines the upper surface of the head is protected by small granular tubercles ; 

 while among the spines on the upper surface of the body, limbs, arid tail, are 

 similar granules intermingled with polygonal scales of which the edges are in 

 apposition. On the back the spines form ten or more longitudinal series, of which 

 the outermost are the largest. The lower surface of the body has a covering of 

 rough, and slightly overlapping scales, among which are numerous rounded and 

 keeled tubercles. In general colour the creature is yellowish, ornamented with 

 symmetrical chestnut or reddish brown markings defined by darker borders. 



Inhabiting Southern and Western Australia, and being not uncommon in 

 several localities in the neighbourhood of Port Augusta, the moloch is found only 

 in districts where the soil is dry and sandy. Occasionally two or three may be 

 observed basking in company on the top of a sandhill ; and it is the frequent 

 habit of this lizard to bury itself in the sand to a small depth below the 

 surface. Its small eye and general manner indicate pretty clearly that the moloch 

 is diurnal in its habits, although it may possibly occasionally move about during 

 the night. Although generally very slow in its movements, it has been known, 

 when disturbed, to make for a neighbouring hole with considerable speed. In 





