430 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1820. patches of the lower lands that had escaped the 
* Oct. 8. conflagrations, which at this period are extending 
their ravages far and wide. Several well-worn 
water courses, long since dry, were crossed in 
the route, and, having the descent to the w T est- 
ward, shew at what point their waters, during 
the rainy season, make their exit. 
ec No quadrupeds were seen upon this ex- 
cursion, and only the usual indications of kan- 
garoos: a few birds were observed on the wing, 
chiefly, however, of the pigeon kind.” 
We saw no kangaroos or opossums of any 
kind during our visit; but, if we may judge from 
the number of snakes at so advanced a period of 
the dry season, when they are generally in a dor- 
mant state, reptiles are very numerous. Mr. Cun- 
ningham found a very curious species of lizard, 
remarkable for having a thin, membranaceous 
appendage attached to the back of its head and 
round the neck, and falling over its shoulders in 
folds as low as the fore arm. It was sent by 
Mr. Cunningham to the College of Surgeons, 
where it is now preserved. Small lizards, centi- 
pedes, and scorpions, were numerous about our 
encampment; and the trees and bushes about 
the tents were infested by myriads of hornets 
and other insects, particularly mosquitoes and 
