98 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 
commonly imported lizard types are the Australian Cyclodi, or Blue-Tongued Lizards, 
Tiliqua (Cyclodus) gigas and T. scincoides. Several examples of these species are almost 
always to be seen at the Zoological Gardens, and are frequently procurable from the 
animal dealers. Except for its relatively slender head, small scales, and tapering, but 
not elongate, tail, Tiliqua scincoides bears a considerable resemblance to Trachysaurus, 
the body being thick and the four limbs small in proportion, and closely resembling 
one another as in that species. 
The data, chronicled in this Chapter, concerning a few of the more remarkable 
of the Australian Lizards, will, the author hopes, secure for this hitherto much 
neglected and to a large extent unjustly maligned animal group a more equitable 
share of that interest and sympathy which is so freely bestowed upon other races. 
To many, even among the highly educated classes, the very name of reptile is held 
to be synonymous with a creature of repulsive aspect and accredited poisonous 
properties. As a matter of fact, there are but two known poisonous lizard species. 
These are the Heloderme, H. horridum and H. suspectum, which inhabit Mexico. The 
Monitors or Varani are, as already testified, for the most part unamiable, and, from their 
size and redundant equipment of teeth and claws, capable of serious aggression. The 
great majority of the lizard tribe are, however, eminently susceptible of domestication, 
speedily losing their initial antagonism induced through fear of man, and becoming 
attached to their owners. For singularity of form, if not for brilliancy of colouration, 
this animal group possesses few, if any, rivals, while even in this last-named 
relationship it yields many remarkable exceptions. Birds or fish, by way of example, 
are rarely more beautifully coloured than the South European Ocellated Lizard, Lacerta 
ocellata, a species some fifteen or sixteen inches long, that is more or less frequently 
imported by the animal dealers. The ground colour of the body in this lizard is 
usually a most brilliant green, and has been likened to an armour of emeralds, while 
the sides are ornamented with spots of the richest turquoise or azure blue. The 
smaller Green or Jersey Lizard, Lacerta viridis, which is so abundantly imported from 
the Channel Islands, affords another familiar instance of notable lacertilian colouration 
which might be indefinitely multiplied. 
That the Lizard tribe is rapidly coming to the front as one well worthy of the 
attention of amateur zoologists, is attested to by the increasing numbers in which 
they are now imported into England and purchased from the dealers by private 
individuals. Geckos, Skinks, Chameleons and many other lizard types are indeed 
commonly advertised with other imported pets for sale in the columns of the “ Field” 
