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 



Habits. to . ° J 



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 



