AGAMOID GROUP. 123 



the preceding members of the family are characterised by the absence of true 

 pores on this part of the body or on the thighs. In a second group such pores 

 are, however, present in both, or in one or other of these situations ; and we select 

 as our first example thereof the remarkable frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingi) 

 of Australia — the solitary representative of its genus. This extraordinary-looking 

 creature, which attains a length of nearly 32 inches, about 11 of which are taken 

 up by the tail, is at once recognised by the curious frill-like membranous expansion 

 surrounding the throat and extending upwards to the sides of the nape. The frill, 

 which is much more developed in the adult than in the young, has a serrated 

 margin, and is covered with scales of larger size than those on the back ; it 

 irresistibly reminds one of the frills with which our ancestors were wont to adorn 

 their throats, and communicates an altogether strange appearance to its owner. 

 In form, the body of this lizard is slightly compressed, and although the scales of 

 the back are strongly keeled there is no distinct crest in this region. The aperture 

 of the ear is exposed, and the tail is either round or slightly compressed, the latter 

 condition occurring in the adult male. The general colour of the upper-parts is 

 pale brown, which may be either uniform or mottled with dark brown, or blackish 

 mingled with yellow. 



The frilled lizard is an inhabitant of Queensland and Northern and North- 

 western Australia, as well as some of the islands of Torres Straits ; its fossil remains 

 occurring in the superficial deposits of the first-named district. Recent observa- 

 tions show that it inhabits sandy districts, where it walks, with a swinging gait, on 

 its hind-legs, after the manner of the extinct iguanodon. When frightened, it sits 

 down on its hind-quarters, raises its fore-quarters and head as high as possible, 

 strikes its body with its tail, and shows its teeth at the intruder. Although the 

 creature is perfectly harmless, this attitude has been known to frighten people who 

 have seen it for the first time ; and it probably has the same effect on other enemies. 

 The frill which, when fully extended, forms a shield concealing the body, limbs, 

 and tail, is moved by certain special muscles, and is supported by rods of cartilage. 

 Sail-Tailed Nearly allied to the preceding is the sail-tailed lizard (Lophurus 



Lizard. amboinensis), which is likewise the sole member of its genus, and 

 takes its name from the presence of a tall sail-like crest on the upper surface of 

 the tail of the adult, which is supported by a great lengthening of the spines of 

 the vertebrae of that region. The body is markedly compressed, the back has a low 

 crest, and the throat has both longitudinal puckerings and a transverse fold in the 

 skin, while the aperture of the ear is exposed. In form, the head is short and 

 thick, the compressed tail is long and powerful, and the legs and feet are also 

 strong, the toes of the latter being covered inferiorly with small granular scales, 

 and at the sides, especially externally, with a fringe of large united scales, which 

 is one of the distinctive features of the genus. The covering of the upper-parts 

 is in the form of small quadrangular scales, which are keeled on the head and 

 back. The dentition comprises six small conical teeth in the front of the jaws, 

 four long tusks, and thirteen cheek-teeth. On the thighs there is a row of pores. 

 Attaining a length of over a yard, the sail-tailed lizard is of a general olive-brown 

 colour, becoming greenish on the head and neck, and spotted and marbled with 

 black ; while an oblique fold in the skin on the front of the shoulder is deep black. 



