Corenso.—On a supposed new Species of Naultinus. 251 
light oblique streak running down from the anterior and posterior corners 
of the eye, and diverging to the rim of the upper jaw. Male without sound- 
bag. 
Coromandel, near Auckland. 
Art. XXVI.—Notes and Observations on the Animal Economy and Habits of 
one of our New Zealand Lizards, supposed to be a new Species of Naultinus. 
By W. Cotenso, F.L.S. 
[Read before the Hawke’s Bay Philosophical Institute, 12th May, 1879.] 
Havine had ample opportunities, during the past year, of observing the 
habits and manners of these elegant little animals in a state of captivity, and 
believing all such to be almost wholly unknown, I have thought it desirable 
to give a pretty full description of the same; seeing, too, that I succeeded 
better in rearing and keeping alive these lizards than I did with the larger 
one, Hatteria punctata (or Sphenodon), in. 1840. 
In the winter of 1878, I received a glass jar from Hampden, in this 
provincial district, containing three full-grown living green lizards. They 
were pretty nearly alike in size; two of them were spotted with large irre- 
gular-shaped light-green spots, or markings, and one was wholly green. 
They had been found together, a short time before, in a hole, with a fourth, 
which was accidentally killed; and, on their capture, were put carefully 
into a jar, and packed loosely in moss. On my receiving them I found 
them apparently very well, but unwilling to move or to face the light, 
seeking to bury themselves more and more in their mossy bed, so I left 
them alone, believing they were hybernating. Meanwhile, I made many 
enquiries, by letter, as to their **hole," its linings, etc., but gained little 
reliable information, save that “in it, and with them, was a lot of stuff like 
blasting powder;" this, I have reason to believe, was the fecal debris. I 
greatly regretted the loss of the fourth, as I think that would have proved 
to be a green male. 
During the winter I looked at them three or four times, but they always 
acted in the same manner, as if averse to having their quiet sleep disturbed. 
On again looking at them early in October, I found them wholly altered ; 
they were now desirous of coming to the light, restless, and pawing against 
the glass, and had increased in number, having four little ones! two being 
spotted with white, and two entirely green ; their lovely little bodies looking 
as if cased in silk velvet instead of scales; this appearance continued for 
some weeks, I now lost no time in removing them to more suitable 
