Photo by H. V. Letkmann.

CUBAN TERRAPINS.

In common with many other water-tortoises, or terrapins, this species is essentially gregarious in its habits.

clings pertinaciously with both hands to the shell of the neck until the creature is exhausted, when it is dragged into the boat. is that practised in Torres Straits, The most remarkable method of taking turtle, however, as also at Mozambique and formerly in the West Indies. The sucking-fish, or remora, is in fish'sthis case impressed into the service of the human fishers. Taking advantage of the natural propensity to swim towards and adhere pertinaciously to any larger floating object, fishermen go out with specimens kept alive in a small well in the bottom of their boats. fish's tail; and coming withinWhen in pursuit of turtle, a long light line is attached to the sight of a Chelonian, the fish, with an abundance of slack or pay-out line, is thrown in the direction of the turtle. The remora immediately swims towards and adheres firmly to the under surface of the shell of the turtle, when it will suffer its body to be torn asunder rather than let go its hold of its newly gained sanctuary. Should the turtle be a small one, both fish and turtle are dragged with the line back to the boat. If, on the other hand, it is of large size, one of the natives plunges into the water, and, following the line down, secures the turtle. In the island of Ascension the cultivation and breeding of turtles for exportation in artificially constructed enclosures have for a considerable time been the subject of an important industry. There are doubtless many other locations on both the Australian coast-line and in the British West Indies where this highly profitable trade could be established. In addition to the green turtle, attention might also be profitably directed at the same locations to the culture of the tortoiseshell-bearing species. Tortoiseshell possesses the singular and useful property of being susceptible of perfect amalgamation. Consequently a number of small-sized pieces can be welded so indistinguishably with one another as to serve the same use as the larger plates for commercial purposes. This amalgamation is effected by bevelling the edges of the two pieces that it is desired to unite along the proposed line of junction, and then, while they are held in juxtaposition in a metallic press, submitting them to the action of boiling water.

CHAPTER III.

LIZARDS.

a greater number of specific forms than any other THE Lizard Tribe or Sub-order is notable as containing of the Eeptilian groups, no less than 1,700 distinct species being described in the most recently published catalogues. While formerly regarded as constituting a separate and independent order of the Reptile Class, later investigations have demonstrated that lizards are so intimately related through sundry intermediate types with the Photo by E. C. Atkinson. Snakes that they cannot be recognised as constituting other BLIND-WORM. than a sub-section of the same order. The two groups ofNotwithstanding its name, the blind-worm possesses small, very bright little eyes. the Lizards and Snakes are consequently, and with reference more particularly to their commonly shared scaly armatures, technically distinguished by the appellation of Scaled Eeptiles.

While the more typical members of the Lizard Tribe are readily distinguished from the Snakes by the possession of well-developed limbs, a no inconsiderable number of species are altogether devoid of these appendages, or possess them only in a partially developed or rudimentary condition.

The British BLIND-WORM, or SLOW-WORM, Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] _Mllford-on-Sea. constitutes an example of such a legless GLASS-SNAKE, OR SCHELTOPUSIK. lizard, although on account of its outward The presence of movable eyelids distinguishes this legless lizard from the true snakes. snake-like appearance it is commonly regarded as a snake by the uneducated. In the South European so-called GLASS-SNAKE, or SCHELTO- PUSIK, here figured, the snake-like aspect and creeping habits are still more conspicuous, but yet when examined more critically its lizard affinities become apparent. One of the most readily apprehended external characters that serve to distinguish this and the majority of the legless lizards from snakes is the possession by the former of movable eyelids and conspicuous external Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [JUilford-on-Sea. GLASS-SNAKE. ear-openings. Among snakes Snails constitute the favourite food of the glass-snake. eyelids are invariably absent, the 563

of the World564 The Living Animals

eyes, by way of compensation, being covered by transparent horny plates, which impart to these creatures that peculiar stony stare which undoubtedly constitutes one of the most repulsive features of their tribe. There are, however, a few exceptional lizards devoid of eyelids, though these species do not take a snake-like form. Lizards, while distributed throughout temperate and tropical regions, attain to the zenith of their representation in size, number, and variety of form and colour in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The majority of species are essentially sun-wor-shippers, and in temperate climates, such as that of England, where they are but sparsely represented, pass the cheerless winter months in a state of torpid hibernation. The first position among the Lizard Tribe is usually accorded to the GECKO FAMILY a group numbering 280 species, which present several somewhat anomalous features and characteristics. In the first place, in contradistinction to the majority of lizard forms, they are for the most part nocturnal in their habits, and have their eyes specially modified to

Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea. meet them. Geckos, as the exception BURMESE GECKOS. to the ordinary lizards previously

One of the largest members of the tribe, measuring 8 or 10 inches in length. referred to, possess no eyelids, and the pupil of the eye, as seen in broad daylight, is mostly represented by a narrow vertical slit, like that of a cat or a nocturnal dog-fish. As the night approaches, however, the membranous diaphragm is retracted, displaying to view a symmetrically orbicular pupil of abnormal size and luminosity. Another prominent characteristic of the geckos is the peculiar modification of their feet, which in most instances are furnished with adhesive disks or pads, which enable these lizards to run with ease, after the manner of flies, on the smooth surface of a wall or window-pane, or even along the ceiling. It is further noteworthy of the geckos that Photo by W. SavUU-ent, F.Z.S.} [MUford-on-Sea. they are the only lizards which BURMESE GECKO. pOSSeSS the power Of emitting Under-surface, showing minute hexagonal scales and peculiar structure of the adhesive toe-pads.

Lizards 565

Photo by W. Haville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.

MADEIRAN GECKOS.

Madeiran geckos photographed through a glass window-pane, showing the peculiar formation of their adhesive toe-pads. One example is regrowing its recently amputated tail. These geckos often travel from Madeira to Covent Garden Market among banana bunches.

distinct vocal sounds. The name Gecko is, in point of fact, derived from the fancied resemblance to the word that constitutes the shrill, somewhat bird-like note of one of the most familiar " " " " " "species. Tok," toki," chick, chick," checko," and tocktoo are distinctive call-notes that are respectively associated with other members of the Gecko Family.

The geckos are most numerously represented in the Indian and Australasian regions. None 1 foot in total length, and mostof them attain to large dimensions. They rarely exceed frequently measure some 3 or 4 inches only. are notable for the facility with which their Geckos, in common with many other lizards, tail becomes detached and left in the hands of their would-be captor. In course of time a new tail sprouts out from the truncated stump of the original member, and within a few more months equals it in dimensions. It not infrequently happens that two or even three new tail-sprouts take the place of the original appendage, imparting to the little creature a most bizarre appearance. The above photograph includes an example of the Madeiran species in which a new tail-bud of a normal character has just commenced to grow.

The nearest approach to the phenomenon of flight among lizards occurs in what are known as the FLYING-DRAGONS, belonging to the family of the Agamas, which next invites attention. These lizards are all of relatively small size, not exceeding a few inches in length, and inhabit the Indo-Malayan region. In these singularly specialised forms six or seven of the posterior ribs are abnormally produced on each side of the body, and so united together by thin, semitransparent membrane as to form a pair of wing-like expansions. When not in use, these structures are folded, after the manner of a fan, closely against the animal's sides, while, when extended, they constitute a most effective parachute, wherewith the little creatures accomplish flying leaps from tree to tree, after the manner of the Flying-squirrels and Phalangers. The

of the World566 The Living Animals

colour of these wing-like structures varies among the many different specific forms, being in some instances spotted or reticulated like those of a butterfly. This same family of the Agamoid Lizards includes a number of species of very dissimilar aspect and habits, which are almost exclusively confined to the Old World or Oriental zoological region. Australia in particular is remarkably rich in representatives of this group, many of them of considerable size. Certain of these have within recent years been found to be endowed with the power of bipedal locomotion. The FKILLED LIZARD of Queensland and the northern territories of Western Australia was the first species in which this bipedal habit was authentically demonstrated in connection with examples observed in Australia and also brought to England by the writer, one of the last-named examples furnishing the photographs reproduced on page 567. In other respects this lizard is one of the most remarkable of its tribe. The peculiar Elizabethan collar-like frill, capable of erection or depression at the creature's will, imparts to it a most singular appearance. When at rest or undisturbed, this mem- [Milford-on-Sea. branous frill-like structure is folded FLYING-DRAGON OF JAVA. down in neat, symmetrical pleats A lizard with wing-like membranes supported by the abnormally developed ribs. around the lizard's neck. Should the It takes long flights from tree to tree. creature be approached by man or its widest, and simultaneously withdog or other aggressive animal, the mouth springs open to this action the frill is erected like the sudden opening of an umbrella, and stands out at right angles around the neck, imparting to it a most formidable and threatening aspect. Dogs, in fact, which will habitually chase and kill larger lizards, such as the Monitors, will frequently its frill erected.halt and retire discomfited when confronted with a frilled lizard at bay with The brilliant colour of this frill, more especially in the male, adds very considerably to the is usually of a lightformidable appearance of this lizard. While the body of this lizard brown colour, with more or less distinct darker transverse bars and reticulations, the frill-like membrane has a ground-colour in which orange and chrome-yellow chiefly predominate, and upon which are superimposed splashings and speckles of brilliant scarlet. While the total length of this averages 2 feet, the expanded frill in adult males is not infrequently as much as 8 or 9 inches in diameter. The peculiar, grotesquely human aspect presented its hind legs only will be appreciated on referenceby the frilled lizard when running on to the accompanying photographs. This erect attitude is only assumed when the frilled lizard is traversing more or less considerable distances and moving on level ground. Under

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