124 



LIZARDS. 



Originally brought to Europe from Amboyna, this curious lizard is an 

 inhabitant of the Philippines, Java, Celebes, and the Moluccas ; it is arboreal in its 

 habits, and is generally found in wood or scrub in the neighbourhood of water. 

 Its food consists of seeds, leaves, flowers, and berries, as well as worms, myriapods, 

 and other creatures found in damp situations. If frightened, this lizard immedi- 

 ately dives into the water, and endeavours to conceal itself among the stones at 



SAIL-TAILED LIZARD [A nat'. size). 



the bottom, where, however, it may be readily captured with a net, or even with 

 the hand, as it makes not the slightest attempt at defence. Its eggs are laid in the 

 sand of the river-banks. By the natives the creature is hunted for the sake of its' 

 flesh, which is white and well-flavoured^ and consequently much appreciated. 

 Thorny-Tailed Quite a different type of tail to that of the last is presented by 



Lizards. t} ie thorny-tailed lizards, of which there are seven species, inhabiting 

 arid tracts in Northern Africa and South- Western Asia. From the whole of the 

 foregoing.members of the present family, these lizards are sharply distinguished 



