AG AMO ID GROUP. 
127 
Moloch Lizard. 
drinks, even when water is at hand, and this statement has been confirmed by 
modern observers. By the Arabs these lizards are frequently tamed and kept in 
captivity; and their flesh, which resembles that of young chicken, is much 
relished by them as an article of food. Nothing appears to be known as to their 
breeding-habits. All the species thrive well in captivity in Europe. It is not 
improbable, according to Canon Tristram, that the reptile mentioned in Leviticus 
under the name of tortoise, is really the dabb. 
East African Two nearly allied lizards from East Africa—namely, A'poroscelis 
Thorny-Tailed princeps from Zanzibar and Somaliland, and A. batilliferus from 
Lizards. Somaliland,—while resembling the members of the preceding genus 
in general external characters, differ in the absence of true pores either on the under 
surface of the body or on the thighs, and are consequently referred to a distinct 
genus. Both appear to be rare, and are of comparatively small size, the first- 
named measuring only about inches in length. 
Even more strange and uncouth in appearance than the frilled 
lizard, is another Australian species commonly known as the moloch 
{Moloch horridus), but termed by the settlers the spiny lizard or thorny devil. 
This, the last remaining representative of the agamoids, differs from all the other 
members of the family in being covered with large conical spines, and in the con¬ 
formation of its mouth and teeth. In all the forms described above the mouth is 
large and the teeth of both jaws are erect, but in the moloch the mouth is very small, 
and the cheek-teeth of the upper jaw are placed horizontally, with their summits 
directed inwardly. About 8 inches in total length, this extraordinary lizard has a 
small head, with an extremely short snout, on the summit of which are pierced the 
nostrils; it has a much depressed body, a short and rounded tail, and thick, powerful 
limbs armed with strong claws. On each side of the head immediately above the 
small eye is a large horn curving outwards and backwards, while there is a smaller 
conical spine above the nostril, a second behind the horn over the eye, a third and 
larger one in front of each ear, as well as one on each side of the occiput. Between 
these spines the upper surface of the head is protected by small granular tubercles*; 
while among the spines on the upper surface of the body, limbs, and tail, are 
similar granules intermingled with polygonal scales of which the edges are in 
apposition. On the back the spines form ten or more longitudinal series, of which 
the outermost are the largest. The lower surface of the body has a covering of 
rough, and slightly overlapping scales, among which are numerous rounded and 
keeled tubercles. In general colour the creature is yellowish, ornamented with 
symmetrical chestnut or reddish brown markings defined by darker borders. 
Inhabiting Southern and Western Australia, and being not uncommon in 
several localities in the neighbourhood of Port Augusta, the moloch is found only 
in districts where the soil is dry and sandy. Occasionally two or three may be 
observed basking in company on the top of a sandhill; and it is the frequent 
habit of this lizard to bury itself in the sand to a small depth below the 
surface. Its small eye and general manner indicate pretty clearly that the moloch 
is diurnal in its habits, although it may possibly occasionally move about during 
the night. Although generally very slow in its movements, it has been known, 
when disturbed, to make for a neighbouring hole with considerable speed. In 
