ilU. 0. A. WILSOK ON A SlNOULAll LIZARD. 73 



were similai' in colour, size, and markings. My informaut believes 

 the spineless ones were females, but gives no other reasons than 

 the above difference. All those previously received by me, and 

 others that I had seen, possessed the spines. 



These Lizards are now found in various parts of Port Augusta 

 and neighbourhood, and are very partial to sandy spots, two or 

 three being, it is said, occasionally seen together on the tops of the 

 small sandhills near the Grulf. They frequently bury themselves 

 under the sand to a little depth. What are supposed to be their 

 eggs have been found, and are described as large for the size of 

 their owners, and white, like most of those of other Lizards. 



On the following statements about these Molochs I cannot place 

 so much reliance as on the foregoing ; they are at least of a doubt- 

 ful character, though each is probably mixed up with a portion 

 of truth. 



It has been stated : — 1. That though usually of a sluggish na- 

 lure and always so in confinement (which is agreed to), yet they 

 have been known, when placed on a table or on the ground, free 

 and unrestricted, and after a time, w^hen they fancied they were 

 not observed, to run off with great rapidity to some hole or corner. 

 This does not seem unlikely ; but I cannot get any certain answers 

 to questions about it, though I should think their habits in their 

 native wilds would partly guide the observer. 



I must own I never gave my specimens an opportunity for a 

 run ; for I was afraid of losing them, though they never evinced 

 any inclination to be off. 



2. That other things (besides ants), animal and vegetable, are 

 eaten by the Molochs ; and some of these are specified ; but, except 

 " insects generally," it is not worth while to notice them. 



3. That they have been known to change colour suddenly, or 

 while held in the hand. This I strongly doubt. 



4. That they are nocturnal in habits. Eor reasons before given 

 I thhdtthis very doubtful; but thebi'ight moonlight may probably 

 entice them abroad. 



5. That they lay (each female) several eggs in one day. This, 

 I think, is entirely without foundation ; nor do I believe that any 

 one has yet seen any female Moloch in the act of laying, or ex- 

 amined the place where the eggs were deposited soon after they 

 were so. I should not mention the above items were they not 

 stated to be from good authority. In the matter of the general 

 inactivity and harmlessness of the reptile all agree. 



