LIZARDS. 99 
and kindred sporting papers. Several varieties of lizard pets at the present time in 
the writer’s possession were obtained through such media. Included in this collection 
is a handsome grey, red-striped Skink, Humcus algeriensis, from Mogador ; a couple of 
specimens of the Ocellated Lizard, Lacerta ocellata; two or three Egyptian and 
other Geckos; and an example of the specially interesting New Zealand or 
Tuatara Lizard, Sphenodon punctatus. All of these types are essentially carnivorous 
and thrive on a diet of beetles, worms, snails and every other description of “small 
game” commonly accessible within a garden boundary. Apart, in fact, from their 
intrinsic interest, lizards can be most highly recommended as a companion hobby to 
the horticulturist, to whom probably no better additional stimulus towards keeping 
his grounds clear of insect and kindred pests could be provided than the pampering 
of the somewhat fastidious appetites of his reptilian pets. Earwigs, caterpillars, 
cockchafers, woodlice, et hoe genus omne, will at all times prove a most welcome 
bonne bouche to some one or other of his interesting pensioners. The maintenance 
of their larder in an efficiently replenished state will be found at the same time to 
exert a most beneficial influence towards the permanent reduction of the ranks of 
these garden enemies. 
The New Zealand Lizard, Sphenodon punctatus, may indeed be recommended as 
a most useful auxiliary in the garden, independently of any natural history claims. 
The specimen in the writer’s possession has shown itself to be partial not only to 
worms, beetles, caterpillars, and all manner of insects, but it has displayed a most 
distinct penchant for slugs, and will attack and devour with the greatest gusto the 
huge field slugs, Limax ater and Arion rufus. Sphenodon being to a large extent 
nocturnal in its habits, it is abroad and on the qui vive at the season commonly 
elected by these gasteropods for their depredations. It has been proved, moreover, 
at the Zoological Gardens that this lizard is quite capable of withstanding our 
English climate without any protection beyond its own earth burrow, within which it 
retires by day and hibernates during the winter months. | 
Much of the increasing popularity of the Lizard class has no doubt been brought 
about through the recent addition of an admirably organised Reptile House to the 
Zoological Society's Menagerie, in the Regent’s Park. To promote the study and 
dissemination of knowledge of and interest in all varieties of reptiles, including 
snakes as well as lizards,—at which many will doubtless elect, as is done in this 
Chapter, to draw the line,—an association, styling itself the “Reptilian Society,” has 
been recently established under the able Presidentship of Dr. Arthur Stradling. 
