In chai-acterizing this species, as distinct,* Mr. Bell remarks that it greatly 

 resembles Naultinus elegans, but adds: — "Upon a comparison of the two 

 however, I find that they differ in the following particulars. In the present 

 species the head is concave between the eyes and forwards nearly to the snout ; 

 in the other this part is quite plain ; the scales of the head in this species are 

 fiat ; in the other they are convex. The colour of this species is uniformly 

 green, whereas N. elegans has several markings of a yellow colour, each 

 distinctly bordered with black." In the Cat. Brit. Mus., Dr. Gray records an 

 example of this species, from Mr. Egerley's collection, as being "green, with 

 three ovate white spots on each side of the back." 



1 0. Naultinus jiunctatus, Gray. 



Dark green, with very small scattered black specks, the size of a granule ; 

 beneath yellow-green ; pre-anal pores in a triangular patch, with two series of 

 pores under each thigh. 



11. Kaidtinus sulphur eus, Buller, 



Uniform colour bright sulphur yellow, darker on the upper parts ; abdomen 

 bounded on each side by obsolete spots of paler yellow, dotted with black on 

 the margins. There is a similar obsolete mark, 3 lines in extent, on each side 

 of the crown. Soles of the feet pale brown. The granular scales are lai-ger 

 and more smoothly set than in N. punctatus ; abdominal and pre-anal scales 

 also larger. Interior of mouth dark blue. 



Total length 6|^ inches. From extremity of lower jaw to the vent 2-9 in. ; 

 thence to extremity of tail 3 "6. 



Hab. — Eotorua, North Island. 



This fine species was discovered by Dr. Hector, during a visit, in company 

 with His Excellency Sir George Grey, to tlie hot springs, Rotorua, in 1866. 

 The original specimen is now deposited in the Colonial Museum, but it has 

 unfortunately become partially discoloured. Other examples of this rare 

 lizard have since been obtained. 



The discovery is an interesting one, because it affords a fresh example of 

 that mysterious natural law which adapts the colour of certain animals to the 

 character of their habitat, for pux-poses of concealment and defence. This 

 bright sulphur-coloured lizard lives in a region remarkable for its solfataras, 

 silicious deposits, and sulphur crusts. Dr. Hochstetter, in his graphic account 

 of the Rotorua Lake district, informs us that all around Pohu.teo there are 

 extensive sulphiir deposits, and that in Arikiroa Bay, the yellow hue of the 

 sulphur crusts which cover the ground, is visible at a great distance. He 

 describes Tikitere as a whole valley of solfataras, bubbling mud pools, 

 sulphur ponds, and hot springs, the groimd around being covered with silicious 



* Zool. ''Beagle,'' Kept. 27, t. 14, f. 2. 



