because of the faclj of held guides. 



M is hoped lo help fifl ihfe 1 m 

 bv publishing phoiographs and des- 

 criptions of our reptiles in serial 



form, not ki a strict erdWi hul as ,nc >' 



come io haiul. so that additions can 



be made 110111 |imc lo HW^i *hich 



ma\ eventually cover mosl ol ihe 

 species on Ih'e Victorian checklist 

 So Ear, the writer has photographs 

 of about half the species in hand, but 

 with further work in ihe future this 

 should give a good Mart in Tilling 

 ,, yap which has existed foi too long. 



One thing, however, must be j 

 realized when comparing a livj 

 animal with the photographs, and this 

 is Ihe fact that many of our repifig 



vai\ considerably throughout then 



range of distribution, and that eolout 

 changes can be quite drastic, capes 

 folly when trying ttl identify dragons, 

 Ihcreloic, whenever in doubt of lln 

 idenlily of a specimen, consult the 

 National Museum in Melbourne 

 whose statV should be able lo 

 ansvvci your queries. 



Hale I 



( h'nolu.\ hwiiituii Stuped Skink 



*\ slim fast moving skmk with a veiy long tail 

 Length: lo 12 inches. 



Head pointed, distinct Imiii body. Far. opening as large as eye. 

 Hive fingers and live toes "I ail long and tapering to a point. A richly marked 

 species with lines and spots. Central vertebral si ripe dark -brown, edged with 

 line while lines. A lighter brown stripe each side ol this, again edged with a 

 fine while line. Sides brown spotted with white. A broader white band from 

 below eye, encircling ear-opening lo huidleg. Under white. 



Found: hi sandy areas, malice and open country under locks and among 

 ground vegetation. 



BeSt tlhiiiiwmhiiix fimm slnpes and shape. Distinguished from closely 

 related species (Ch-noitis ulnt) by absence of spots on upper surface. (Latter 

 species has row of spots along light-brown stripe.) 



I'latc 2 



liliqiui ociipitulis — Western Ultictongue 



A large robust skink with a blue tongue. 

 Length: to 1 8 inches. 



Head pointed, distinct from body. Snout rounded ulT slightly. 

 Larue car-openi.ie. Five lingers and five toes. Legs thick hut short. Lizard 

 draas body along ground when walking casually. Claws short but sharp 

 Bright! v marked lizard with chocolaie-brown and honev coloured cross 

 hands, brown line through eye. Normally slow mover but can move smartly 

 if pursued. 



Hound: u> extreme western desert areas ol stale. 

 Best dJStfoguidmg ftaurCS — bold colouration, blue tongue. 



US 



Vict Nat Vol 8» 



