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emerging froDi the sand it travels on the surface for a few feet,, 

 at a slowish pace, with a peculiar sinuous motion, the belly much 

 flattened against the ground while it rests on the outsides of its 

 fore-paws, which are thus doubled in under it. It leaves 

 behind it a peculiar sinuous triple track, the outer impressions, 

 more or less interrupted, being caused by the feet, and the central 

 continuous line l)y the tail, which seems to be pressed down in 

 the rear. Constantly on the look-out for its tracks, I was 

 often deceived by those of numerous lizards, which are some- 

 what similar in these respects. It enters the sand obliquely 

 and travels underground either for a few feet or for many 

 yards, not apparently reaching a depth of more than two 

 or three inches, for whilst underground its progress can often be 

 detected by a slight cracking or moving of the surface over its 

 position. In penetrating the soil free use, as a borer, is made of 

 the conical snout with its horny protecting shield, and the powerful 

 scoop-like fore-claws are also early brought into play. As it 

 disappears from sight, the hind limbs, as well, are used to throw the 

 sand backwards, which falls in again behind it as it goes, 

 so that no permanent tunnel is left to mark its course. Again 

 emerging, at some distance, it travels for a few feet upon the 

 surface and then descends as before. I could hear noticing 

 of its making, or occupying at any time, permanent burrows. 

 Both my informants lay great stress on the phenomenal rapidity 

 with which it can burrow, as observed both in a state of nature 

 and in captivity. In some notes sent me by Mr. Benham the 

 following statement appears : — " Almost any of the men here 

 (Idracowra) can tell you how one got away from me in the loose 

 sand. I brought it home alive, and began talking about how 

 fast it could burrow, so Mr. Stokes wanted to see it. We took 

 a spade and loosened the top soil near the house, and put it 

 down ; I kept my hand close to it until it was nearly out of 

 sight, and then started scratching after it, but it was too quick ; 

 so I took a shovel and began to dig after it, but could not get 

 him. One of the men then came with another shovel, and also 

 a lubra (aboriginal female) who scratched, but the three of us 

 failed to get him." Making all allowances for possible misdirected 

 energies in this experiment, there is no doubt but that their 

 burrowing powers are remarkable. Mr. Bishop, who knew of my 

 approach, made great efforts to keep alive for me some of those 

 he had captured, and placed them for safe keeping in buckets 

 of sand, but in spite of all care and attention one only lived as 

 long as four days. Night and day the sound of their ceaseless 

 burrowing was to be heard. Acting on my advice, previously 

 given, in consequence of an examination of the contents of the 

 intestines of one of the earlier specimens, he supplied them with. 



