126 LIZARDS. 



is specially distinguished by the circumstance that two or more transverse rows 

 of scales on the lower surface of the tail correspond with one on its upper aspect. 

 The Arabian species, which attains a length of about 18 inches, differs from its 

 two nearest allies in the minute size of the scales covering the body, coupled with 

 the presence of a few scattered somewhat larger tubercular scales on the flanks. 

 Its colour is either sandy grey, or greenish above, which may be either uniform or 

 clouded with brown. The ornate thorny-tail (IT. ornatus), of Egypt and Syria, 

 differs from the other three members of the first group in that the scales of the tail 

 form complete rings, those on the lower surface being as long as those on the upper. 

 With the exception of one species (IT. microlepis) inhabiting Persia, the 

 members of the first group are confined to Africa, Arabia, and Syria, whereas 

 the three representatives of the second group are exclusively Asiatic, one (IT. 

 loricatus) being from Persia, the second (IT. asmussi) common to Persia and 

 Baluchistan, while the third (IT. hardwickei) is an inhabitant of Baluchistan 

 and Northern India. In the whole of these three Asiatic species the rings 

 of spiny scales on the upper surface of the tail are separated from one 

 another by rows of smaller smooth scales. In the Indian thorny - tail the 

 spines on the tail are small, with the lateral ones the largest; there are no 

 enlarged tubercular scales on the back; and the front surface of the thigh 

 is marked by a large black spot. In size this species is much inferior to its 

 Arabian congener, not exceeding some 11 inches in length. Its colour is either 

 uniform sandy above, or the same spotted or mottled with a darker, and whitish 

 beneath, with the aforesaid dark mark on the thigh. 



Conforming in their sombre coloration to the desert regions they 

 frequent, the thorny-tailed lizards are entirely vegetable-feeders, and 

 live in burrows, resembling those of the smaller foxes, which are excavated by 

 themselves. These burrows, which may be as much as 4 feet in length, sometimes, 

 turn almost at right angles to their original course, at a depth of a foot or so from 

 the surface. Generally living solitary or in pairs, these lizards are met with 

 abundantly in parts of Eastern Persia and the Punjab, and when approached at 

 once make for their holes. If they succeed in getting their fore-limbs within 

 the aperture of their burrows, it is impossible to pull them out, for, as the 

 writer knows by experience, they will rather suffer their tails to be pulled from 

 their bodies than let go their hold. They are generally somewhat heavy and 

 deliberate in the movements, turning their heads from side to side while walking, 

 but are capable of running with tolerable speed. In the cold season, at anyrate, 

 they never leave their burrows till the sun is well up ; and while in Persia and 

 India they are commonly found on half-desert gravelly plains scattered over with 

 low bush, the Arabian species is often met with in the clefts of rocks, whence it 

 issues forth to bask on the smooth slabs or boulders. According to Brehm, as 

 many as a dozen of these lizards may occasionally be seen on a single slab of rock. 

 All the species appear to be timid and gentle in their disposition, rarely, if ever,, 

 attempting to bite when captured. Their food comprises leaves and flowers, dried 

 fruits, and the seeds of grass, as well as grass itself ; but although in the wild state 

 they seem never to touch animal food, in captivity the Indian species will greedily 

 devour meal-worms. According to Arab reports, the dabb never by any chance 



