394 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Undoolya Station, which lies immediately south of the McDonnell Ranges, 

 and that one also was found drowned after heavy rain at Tempe Downs, a 

 station situated about 120 miles west-south-west of Alice Springs. These 

 points will sufficiently define its range, so far as is known at present. They 

 do not appear to be very numerous. Very few of the white men in the 

 district had ever seen it, even though constantly travelling ; and not many 

 of the natives whom I came across recognised the well-executed drawing I 

 carried with me. It must be remembered, however, that I did not pass 

 through the exact spot which so far appears to be its focus of distribution. 

 Nor did a very considerable reward, which I offered, cause any specimens 

 to be forthcoming between the first lot received, over two years ago, and that 

 recently secured during my trans-continental trip. With a few exceptions, 

 the animals have been captured by the aboriginals, who, with their pheno- 

 menal powers of tracking, follow up their traces until they are caught. 

 For this reason they can only be found with certainty after rain, which sets 

 the surface of the sand, and enables it to retain tracks that would imme- 

 diately be obliterated when it is dry and loose. Nor are they found except 

 during warm weather, so that the short period of semi-tropical summer 

 rains appears to be the favourable period for their capture. For this 

 suitable combination of wet and warmth, Mr. Bishop had to wait three 

 months before he was able to get them, and in all cases they were found 

 during the day-time. Perpetual burrowing seems to be the characteristic 

 feature of its life. Both Mr. Bishop and Mr. Benham, who have seen the 

 animal in its native state, report that, emerging from the sand, it travels on 

 the surface for a few feet at a slowish pace, with a peculiar sinuous motion, 

 the belly much flattened against the ground, while it rests on the outsides 

 of its fore-paws, which are thus doubled under it. It leaves behind it a 

 peculiar sinuous triple track, the outer impressions, more or less interrupted, 

 being caused by the feet, and the central continuous line by the tail, which 

 seems to be pressed down in the rear. Constantly on the look-out for its 

 tracks, I was often deceived by those of numerous lizards, which are some- 

 what similar in these respects. It enters the sand obliquely, and travels 

 underground either for a few feet or for many yards, not apparently 

 reaching a depth of more than two or three inches, for whilst underground 

 its progress can often be detected by a slight cracking or moving of the 

 surface over its position. In penetrating the soil, free use as a borer is 

 made of the conical snout with its horny protecting shield, and the powerful 

 scoop-like claws (fore) are also early brought into play. As it disappears 

 from sight, the hind. limbs, as well, are used to throw the sand backwards, 

 which falls in again behind it as it goes, so that no permanent tunnel is 

 left to mark its course. Again emerging, at some distance, it travels for a 

 few feet upon the surface, and then descends as before. 1 could hear nothing 

 of its making, or occupying at any time, permanent burrows. Both ray 



