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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 6

Reptiles. — Chelonia.—Tortoise-Tribe

Reptiles.

Chelonia.—Tortoise-Tribe.

a. Hydraspididæ. Fresh-water Turtles.

The Australian Tortoises are few in number, and all belong to one family. They inhabit almost every pool, creek, or river, but the genera are not equally distributed. In New South Wales three or four species occur, which are probably also found in Victoria and South Australia. From West Australia we have to record only two kinds, the remainder inhabiting Queensland and the North Coast. Like our snakes and frogs, some of the Australian Tortoises are closely allied to South American genera.

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Chelodina.

C. Colliei. West Australia.

C. oblonga West Australia.

Few specimens are known of the first species; the second is common near King George's Sound and the Southern Districts of the Swan River Colony. The shell is not produced, and affords no shelter to the very long neck of the animal. According to Dr. Gray it is found in North Australia also. Mr. George Masters has frequently taken specimens in the brakish lakes on the West coast.

C. expansa.

This is rather a large species, 11 inches long by 8 broad; it does not occur near Sydney, and inhabits the larger rivers. Coloration, uniform greenish above and yellowish below, without marble spots.

C. longicollis. Long-necked Tortoise.

This animal occurs in large numbers near Sydney; it is the most common and best known of the tribe; the lower shell is generally marbled.

C. sulcata.

Dr. Gray figures a shell of this Tortoise in his catalogue of shield reptiles; it occurs near Sydney, but is seldom captured.

Chelymys.

C. macquaria. The Macquarie Tortoise.

A large species, 11 x 8 inches, inhabiting the river after which it is named. This tortoise, has a deep narrow interrupted groove along the vertebra] line.

Elseya.

E. dentata.

The late Dr. Elsey, who accompanied Gregory's expedition, discovered this species in the Northern rivers. The Australian Museum has specimens from the Burnett and some from the Port Curtis District.

E. latisternum.

Closely allied to the last; both may be distinguished from other Australian Tortoises by a pair of tubercles or beards on the chin. This closes the fresh-water species as far as they are known to us at present; there is no doubt, however, that more exist in Australia. A few undescribed forms are even now in the Australian Museum collection.

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b. Chelonidæ—Marine-Turtles.

Marine-turtles have long compressed fin-shaped non-retractile feet, the toes being enclosed in a common skin, with one or two projecting claws. The following species occur on the Australian coast:—

Caouana.

C. olivacea. Loggerhead Turtle. This species is carnivorous, and eats fishes, mollusca, and crustacea.

Chelonia.

C. virgata, Green Turtle. This is the edible species which feeds on Algæ.

Caretta.

C. squamata. Hawk-bill Turtle.

This reptile produces the Tortoise-shell, and is carnivorous.

Dermatochelys.

D. coriacea. The Luth.

The Leathery Turtle or Luth is the largest of the tribe; it is herbivorous, and yields a large quantity of oil. A fine specimen in the Australian Museum, perhaps the most gigantic ever taken, was caught off Wollongong, on the coast of Illawarra, and measures 9 feet in length.

Fossil Chelonia.

The carapace of a fresh water species was found at the Caves of Wellington. It was broken in removing it, and measured about 8 inches in length.

Sauria.—Lizard-Tribe.

The Lizards of Australia are very numerous, and are distributed over every part of the country; a few species also inhabit Tasmania, and two kinds Lord Howe Island. We are indebted to Dr. John Edward Grey, F.R.S., for the first systematic catalogue of our reptiles; and his list of Lizards is still the standard guide for students. Dr. Gray enumerates 129 species, which number must have greatly increased since the list was published. To give even short descriptions of each kind is impossible in the present paper; but some characteristics will be pointed out, so that an idea may be formed of this numerous tribe of animals.

Lizards live chiefly in tropical and semi-tropical climates, and prefer dry sandy or rocky open scrub country to luxurious forests; none are venomous.

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The largest grow to 30 feet; others do not exceed a few inches in length; their diet is varied, and supplied by both the animal or vegetable kingdom; in fact, we remember a fine large New Guinea species which subsists principally on leaves. Our Sleeping-lizard, "Cyclodus gigas," is very fond of certain berries called "jee-bungs," and during the season is often filled with them. Lizards do not reject dead animals like the Ophidians, and are therefore excellent scavengers.

The greater number lay eggs generally with a soft skin or shell, and of irregular form, which they deposit under stones, exposed to the sun, among the decaying leaves of the stag-horn fern, under bark or sand, in crevices of rocks, and in other places where heat is generated, and the embryo brought to maturity. No Saurian has ever been noticed to incubate her eggs like the Bock-snakes or Pythons. Nearly all the Lizards found in Australia are peculiar to the country.

Crocodilidæ.—Crocodiles.

Crocodilus.

C. porosus.

The Australian Crocodile is a distinguished production of Queensland, where it reaches the enormous length of 30 feet, and becomes occasionally troublesome to settlers. It is vigorously hunted down, and wherever the country is opened up the Crocodiles soon retire.

Tomistoma.

T. Krefftii.

Another much smaller species of Crocodile, which inhabits the shallow lagoons of the interior of Queensland. It seldom exceeds 6 feet in length. Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., has lately described the head of the animal, which is all we know of it at present. The form is narrow and Gavial-like. A few fine young specimens of the rare Crocodilus pondicereanus have lately been purchased for the Australian Museum; these were obtained near New Guinea, and are probably found in our northern waters also.

Forked-tongued Lizards.

Monitoridæ—Monitors.

These Lizards are best known as Lace-lizards and "Iguanas," and are distinguished by a forked-tongue. They inhabit almost every part of Australia, but are not found in Tasmania, They burrow in the ground, and are excellent climbers and good swimmers; some grow to 8 or 9 feet in length, though the largest have but a small head in comparison with a Crocodile.

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Odatria.

O. punctata.

Spotted Odatria, a small spotted species, about 15 inches long when full grown; inhabits North Australia.

O. ocellata.

Eyed Odatria, with larger spots and whitish margin around them. From the same district.

Hydrosaurus.

H. Gouldii. West Australia,

H. varius. Australia generally.

H. giganteus. North Australia.

H. Bellii. North-east coast.

These are the largest of the tribe; four species are recorded, which vary much in colour, but are probably only varieties.

Flat-tongued Lizards.

Cryptoblepharus.

C. Burtonii Western Australia.

C. lineo-ocellatus. Western Australia.

Morethia.

M. anomala. Western Australia.

Menetia.

M. Greyii. Western Australia,

Lerista.

L. lineata. East coast.

All of small size, with short or rudimentary limbs, and but little known.

Pygopidæ.—Slow-Worms.

(With paddle-like extremities near the vent.)

Pygopus.

P. lepidopodus.

This Pygopus has a wide distribution, and is found all over the mainland, but not in Tasmania. It is common near Sydney, and often mistaken for a snake; the tail is very brittle and the tongue flat. Snakes have a forked tongue, and cannot reproduce their tail when lost or injured.

P. squamiceps.

A Pygopus from the west coast. There are several undescribed species in the Museum collection.

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Delma.

D. Fraseri.

A much smaller Pygopus from West Australia with rudimentary fore-limbs.

D. Grayii.

Another small species. The exact habitat is not known.

Aprasia.

A. pulchella, West Australia.

A. octolineata. Adelaide.

Small worm-like species, not found in New South Wales.

Lialis.

L. Burtonii. Burton's Lialis.

L. punctulata. Spotted Lialis.

Two snake-like Lizards, with a pair of slight rudimentary flapper-like hind limbs; head square behind, with long and pointed snout; tail rather thick; sometimes a stripe on each side from the head down the body; scales with fine black dots. These Lizards occur of all colors, from almost white or creamy yellow to reddish brown.

They have a wide distribution, but are not found in the southern part of the mainland or in Tasmania. The eye is pale yellow, with vertical pupil, and a slight noise is heard when the animal is handled or is in pain. We remark this because very few Saurian reptiles possess a voice.

Scincidæ.—Skink-Tribe.

The greater number of our Lizards belong to this family; they inhabit sandy or stony districts; are very quick in their movements in summer, and hybernate during the cold season under rocks or bark; seldom in holes below ground.

The first group, the genus Hinulia, contains species of 6 or 8 inches in length; the members of the genus Mocoa are smaller; all are ground Lizards.

Hinulia.

H. Gerrardii. Clarence River and Queensland.

H. elegans. Near Sydney and East coast generally.

H. Greyii. West Australia.

H. tenuis. West Australia.

H. Labillardieri. West Australia.

H. australis. Australia generally, except Victoria,

H. essingtonii. North Australia and West coast.

H. inornata. West Australia.

H. tæniolata, Near Sydney, and on the East coast generally.

A variety or perhaps a distinct species inhabits Tasmania.

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H. Whitii. Sydney, Tasmania, and the East coast far to the north.

H. Richardsonii. West Australia, South Australia, and Quensland.

H. fasciolata. Queensland, Rockhampton.

H. branchialis. North-west Australia, Champion Bay.

Mocoa.

M. Guichenoti. Southern Australia, from east to west.

M. trilineata. West Australia.

M. ocellata. Australia.

M. Entrecasteauxii. Australia.

M. microtis. Swan River.

M. Owenii. East coast.

Carlia.

C. melanopogon. North Australia.

Lygosoma.

L. australe. Swan River.

L. Bougainvillii. Australia,

L. laterale. South Australia.

L. Schomburgkii. South and West Australia.

These four species have an elongate body, with short limbs; they average about 5 or 6 inches in length.

Tetradactylus.

T. decresiensis. Kangaroo Island, Swan River.

Hemiergis.

H. polylepis. South Australia,

H. decresiensis. Kangaroo Island.

Chelomeles.

C. quadrilineatus. West Australia,

Siaphos.

S. æqualis. Near Sydney, and on the East coast.

Five small species, 3 or 4 inches long, with very short limbs; the last is bronze above, bright yellow below.

Omolepida.

O. casuarinæ. Near Sydney, South-east coast, and Tasmania.

A very elongate form, with short legs and long toes; tail very long. Large specimens measure up to 14 inches and more; common near Botany.

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Rhodona.

R. punctata. West Australia.

R. Gerrardii. West Australia.

R. punctato-vittata. Queensland.

Small Blind-worm, like Lizards, with tubercular fore limbs, and short legs with developed toes behind.

Soridia.

S. lineata. West Australia.

S. miopus. West Australia.

Very small snake-like Lizards, with a pair of tubercles near the vent, which represents the hind limbs.

Anomalopus.

A. Verreauxii. Queensland.

Mabouia.

M. macrura. North Australia.

Trachydosaurus.

T. rugosus.

T. asper.

Stump-tail Lizards, with formidable rugose scales. These well-known species inhabit the plains of the interior; their legs are short, and their movements slow. The body-scales are very large and rough, resembling the scales of fir cones; the colour varies considerably, from brown to almost brick red. The tail is short and flat. The female produces a pair of young ones of considerable size about the end of January. Many persons consider these Lizards highly venomous; it must be borne in mind, however, that vertebrated animals, with limbs ever so rudimentary, possess no poison fangs.

Cyclodus.

C. gigas. Australia generally.

C. occipitalis. South Australia.

C. adelaidensis. South Australia.

C. nigroluteus. Tasmania.

The above four species are best known under the name of "Sleeping-lizards." They resemble the "Stump-tails," but their scales are smooth, the tail is round, and of moderate length, and the body generally banded with broad stripes. One species is peculiar to Tasmania; the other three inhabit the mainland. These animals have a broad bluish tongue, which is frequently thrust out; they feed on the berry called "jee-bung," and also on other berries and leaves, besides insects.

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Silobusaurus.

S. Stokesii. Named in honor of Capt. Stokes, E.N., one of our Australian discoverers.

This Lizard has a short rather flat tail, armed with powerful spines; it does not exceed 6 or 8 inches in length, and inhabits West Australia.

Egernia.

E. Cunninghami. Named in honor of Allan Cunningham, E.L.S., the Botanist and Australian Explorer.

This species is common near Sydney, but can only be captured during the cold season when hybernating under stones. The Egernia has rather a flat body, covered with prickly scales, and an armed tail, which is not so spiny as that of Stokes's Lizard. The geographical distribution of this reptile must be extensive, as specimens have been obtained near Adelaide and in Queens-land. The general colour is brown above, and red below.

Tropidolepisma.

T. Kingii. Admiral P. P. King, E.N., whose services to Australia are well known, discovered this reptile on the West coast.

It is nearly as largo as the Cyclodus or Sleeping-lizard, and rare in collections.

T. nitidum. Wide Bay, Queensland.

T. majus. Clarence River, New South Wales.

These two species are found on the East coast. C. majus exceeds the Sleeping-lizard in size; it is jet-black.

Thick-tongued or Night-lizards.

Geckotidæ. Geckos.

Of the twenty or more Night-lizards, recorded as inhabitants of Australia, only a few are well known; and these are looked upon with dread by the less informed settlers. The Geckos are distinguished by their nocturnal eyes, thick tails, and granular skin, which is without the usual imbricate scales observed in other Lizards. They pass the day under stones, in crevices of rocks, or under bark; and their feet, bearing movable disks, enable them to run up straight walls, or adhere on the roof of caves.

Œdura.

Œ. marmorata. "Turnip-tail;" rather a large species, found on the North-east coast.

Œ. rhombifera is recorded from West Australia.

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Strophura.

S. spinigera, A Gecko, with very granular body, inhabits West Australia and New South Wales.

Diplodactylus.

D. vittatus.

D. ornatus.

These two species are stated to inhabit West Australia, and they are also observed near Sydney, and on the east coast generally; we consider both to be one and the same species.

D. ocellatus. West Australia.

D. bilineatus. West Australia.

D. polyophthalmus. West Australia.

D. furcosus. South Australia.

These four species are rather rare in collections.

Hemidactylus.

H. vittatus. North Australia.

Peripia.

P. variegata. West Australia.

Gehyra.

G. australis. North Australia and West Australia.

Goniodactylus.

G. australis. West Australia,

Heteronota.

H. Binoe. West and North Australia.

Phyllurus.

P. platurus. New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and probablyVictoria.

P. inermis. New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and probablyVictoria.

P. Myliusii. New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and probablyVictoria.

These species occur near Sydney, where they are much dreaded by some persons, who apply the name of "Rock-scorpion" to them. They possess a distinct shrill voice, and like most Geckos change colour from light to dark; their broad flat tails are often lost and soon reproduced; adults measure about 6 inches in length; seldom more.

Agamidæ.—The Agamas.

The last family of Lizards comprises animals which have a thick tongue, adhering to the gullet, the head covered with numerous small shields, and generally a long tapering not fragile tail. The eye and eyelids are well developed and the pupil is round.

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Chelonasia.

C. brunnea. West Australia.

Gindalia.

G. Bennettii. North-west coast.

Both are rare and little known species.

Physignathus.

P. Lesueurii. Water-lizard.

A common species, in almost every part of Australia, of largo size, 3 or 4 feet in length, with bright yellow throat and copper-red breast; the colouration is more or less bright during certain seasons, and in young animals indistinct. This species may be seen basking on trees or logs near the water, from which it plunges in as soon as disturbed; it keeps a long time under the surface, and moves along the bottom without difficulty.

The larger species of beetles form the principal food of this Lizard.

Chlamydosaurus.

C. Kingii.

Another and most important discovery of the late Admiral P. P. King is the "Frilled-lizard," which is restricted to Queensland and the north coast. It is a well-known reptile, which has the power of erecting the loose frill-like skin round its neck in such a way that it resembles a collar, not unlike the gigantic lace collars of Queen Elizabeth's time. This Lizard stands remarkably high on her legs; and when, not long ago, Professor Huxley discussed the question of "the most reptile-like birds and birdlike reptiles," we experimented on one of these Frilled-lizards, and observed her, when startled, to rise with the fore legs off the ground, squat like a kangaroo, and hop once or twice to get out of our reach. There is certainly no other Lizard known which could take up such a position, and this observation may prove of interest to comparative anatomists.

Lophognathus.

L. Gilbertii. From North and West Australia.

Named in honor of another gallant Australian explorer.

Diporophora.

D. bilineata. From North Australia.*

* Many of these specimens we have never seen, and the books in which they are described are not at our disposal; hence these brief notices.

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Grammatophora.

G. cristata. West Australia.

G. muricata. Australia generally (not Tasmania.)

G. reticulata. West Australia.

G. barbata. Australia generally.

G. angulifera. South and West Australia.

G. maculata. Australia. Bay of Sea Dogs.

G. ornata. New South Wales. South and West Australia.

G. Decresii. West Australia.

G. lævis. West Australia, Champion Bay.

G. temporalis. North Australia.

G. calotella. North Australia.

The members of the genus Grammatophora are not of large size.

The Bearded-lizard (G. barbata) is perhaps the largest and best known of this tribe; some species are arboreal, and a few prefer open plains or scrub-country. G. ornata inhabits the flats on both sides of the Murray, and is remarkable for its bright colors of blue and yellow about back and neck. The lively long-tailed grey or sometimes black Lizard, which is frequently seen basking on fences or old stumps, is G. muricata. This species changes colour as well as the rest of the Agamas, and can scarcely be distinguished from the object on which it may be resting.

Tympanocryptis.

T. lineata. South Australia.

T. cephalus. West Australia, Nicol Bay.

Moloch.

M. horridus. Australian Moloch.

This reptile is one of the most singular species on record; it is covered with large and small spine-bearing tubercles in the most extraordinary manner; has a very small head and mouth, and is sluggish in its movements. The Moloch has the power to change colour, not only from light to dark but some parts also from yellow to grey or red. South Australia and Western Australia is the habitat of this strange creature.*

* Dr. J. E. Gray, of the British Museum, has figured about fifty species of Australian Lizards, which may be purchased at the low price of 7s. 6d. We refer those interested, to this valuable work.