2 66 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 



speaking, a thousand miles. Flats and sandhills of red sand, more or 

 less well covered with spinifex and acacias constitute a large portion 

 of the country, and the rainfall is inconsiderable. Curiously enough, 

 all the specimens of Notdryctes hitherto received by me have been 

 found within a circumscribed area, four miles from the Idracoura 

 Head Station, which is situated on the Finke watercourse itself, and 

 almost invariably amongst the sandhills. I have it, however, on very 

 fair authority, that the animal has been seen on the TJndoolya 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 have seen it, even though constantly travelling ; 

 and not many of the natives whom I came across recognised the well- 

 executed drawing T 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 

 phenomenal 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 immediately 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 fcr their capture. For this suitable combination of wet and 

 warmth, Mr. Bishop had to waif 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 somenvhat similar in these 

 respects. 



" It enters the sand obliquely, and travels under ground 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 



