444 



Varanus punctatus, Gray. — [Met with on several occasions 

 in the MacDonnell Ranges, and although at times found 

 amongst rocks and boulders, it seems to have a liking for 

 tree-climbing, for it was seen on more than one occasion bask- 

 ing at the top of a dead tree trunk in the beds of the creeks. 

 Their food seems to consist of other small lizards, birds, and 

 small mammals. On one occasion a specimen when pursued 

 took to a large dead gum on the bank of Ellery Creek and 

 scampered up to the very top, where it lay hidden behind a 

 branch out of gunshot.] 



Varanus gilleni, Lucas and Frost. — [These lizards are 

 really tree-dwellers and seldom seen upon the ground. 

 Their grey or drab colouration harmonizes so well with the 

 trees in which they climb that it is very difficult to discern 

 them.] 



Egernia whitei, Lacep. — [Fairly plentiful, and found in 

 almost every situation. The diversity in colouration led me 

 to believe there were several species, but there is no doubt 

 a wonderful range of colour in these lizards.] 



Egernia stokesii, A. Dum. — [This remarkable lizard, 

 with its plump fat-looking body and wide spiny tail seems 

 to live in the hollow trunks and branches of the gid-trees 

 growing along the dry watercourses of the tablelands. It was 

 found necessary to cut these reptiles completely out, for once 

 they extended their large tails with long spines this gave them 

 such a hold in the wood that the body could be torn asunder 

 before they let go their hold. Not once did we find these lizards 

 in the open, and they seemed to be confined to the southern 

 tablelands. Natives assured us that they were not good to 

 eat.] 



Tiliqua occipitalis, Peters. — [Very seldom seen. Most 

 likely they are of nocturnal habits, apparently hiding under 

 fallen trees or stones in the daytime. Seem to be confined 

 to the lower levels, as we did not meet with them in the 

 MacDonnell Ranges. Their habits and food approximate 

 those of our southern Blue-tongue.] 



Hinulia lesueurii, D. and B. 



Hinulia fasciolata, Steind. 



Homolepida branchialis, Giinth. Previously recorded 

 only from Western Australia. < 3 ) 



Rhodona gerrardii, Giinth. — [These worm-like lizards 

 were often met with amongst the debris in the river or creek- 

 T)eds coming out of the ranges. They were of very sluggish 

 movement.] 



Ablepharus boutonii, Desjard. 



Ablepharus lineoocellatus, D. and B. 



(3) Lucas and Frost, Proc. Austral. Assoc. Adv. Sc, vol. viii., 

 1901, p. 260. 



