412 



LOWER VERTEBRATES. 



D. volans inhabits Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and has been taken at Singapore and 

 Penang. 



The frilled-lizard, Chlamydosaurus kingii, is an animal of considerable size, nearly 

 reaching the length of three feet, and inhabiting Australia. It is provided, when 

 adult, with an enormous frill or collar attached on each side of the neck behind the 

 ears, which ordinarly lies upon the sides of the body, though, when the animal is ex- 

 cited, the structure is quickly elevated and brought forward, like an inverted umbrella, 

 and being beset on both sides with large keeled scales, is of considerable value as a 

 shield of defence. 



Fig. 238. — Chlamydosaurus kingii, frilled lizard. 



Captain Grey, in writing of this animal, says : " As we were pursuing our walk in 

 the afternoon, we fell in with a specimen of the remarkable frilled-lizard. It lives 

 principally in trees, though it can run very suiftly along the ground. When not pro- 

 voked or disturbed it moves quietly about, with its frill lying back in plaits upon the 

 body; but it is very irascible, and, directly it is frightened, it elevates the frill or ruff, 

 and makes for a tree, where, if overtaken, it throws itself on its stern, raising its 

 head and chest as high as it can upon the fore legs, then, doubling its head underneath 

 the body, and displaying a very formidable set of teeth from the cavity of its large 

 frill, it boldly faces an opponent, biting furiously at whatever is presented to it, and 

 even venturing so far in its rage as to fairly make a charge at its enem\-." 



