LIZARDS. 73 
disposition, springing at and biting any object placed near them, uttering a hoarse, 
hissing noise, and also striking savagely whipwise with their rough attenuate tails. 
The blows thus delivered were, in fact, dealt with such vigour as to smartly sting the 
hand if exposed to the impact. This flagellating method of attack manifested by 
Chlamydosaurus must, it may be anticipated, prove very disconcerting to a foe 
previously unfamiliar with the animal’s peculiar aggressive tactics. After a very 
short interval of confinement and hand-feeding, however, even these two irascible 
individuals abandoned their) previous aggressive tendencies, and became quite 
domesticated. 
An even higher scientific interest than the abnormal development of the 
frill-like membrane that encircles the creature’s neck attaches itself to the very 
remarkable manner in which Chlamydosaurus progresses along the surface of the 
ground. In this respect it is apparently unique among the existing members of 
its tribe. The rumour that the Frilled Lizard was in the habit of running erect on its 
hind legs only was communicated to the author some years ago, and is also recorded 
by Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society for 
the year 1874, in an interesting article by that accomplished geologist entitled “ Forms 
intermediate between Birds and Reptiles.” The present writer failed, however, to verify 
this assertion through the single living Queensland example he had in captivity for a 
short interval; and neither was a friend in the northern district of the Colony 
more fortunate, who, at special request, experimented with several specimens. It 
was, on these grounds, anticipated that the rumour, which had been previously 
received, was the outcome of an optical illusion; more particularly since many 
lizards, such as certain of the slighter-built Amphiboluri, run so erect on their haunches 
that it might be imagined their fore-limbs were raised from the ground. 
It was consequently with much gratification and delight that, on becoming the 
owner of several specimens, including the one brought to England, obtained with 
the assistance of the aborigines of Roebuck Bay, Western Australia, the writer 
found himself in a position to scientifically demonstrate for the first time the truth 
of the report concerning the erect gait of Chlamydosaurus that had been received in 
Queensland. Possibly the specimens previously experimented with had been slightly- 
injured during capture, and lacked the stamina to walk upright. At all events, the 
Roebuck Bay examples, brought in straight from the bush, were in vigorous health, and 
at the first trial when left at liberty, save for a light retaining cord, ran along almost 
perfectly erect, with both their fore-limbs and long tails elevated clear of the ground. 
K 
