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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 64

Reptiles and Fishes

page 23

Reptiles and Fishes.

These are contained in the Wall Cases 10 to 13, on the south side of the First Gallery. The collection is small at present, and owing to the very limited space, a strict classification cannot be followed. Many more species are packed up in jars and cans, but owing to want of time and of funds, they cannot yet be exhibited to the public.

Reptiles.

The Shield Reptiles are protected by a bony case, into which they can retreat. Some are entirely terrestrial; others live in fresh water, and a few are marine. The Turtle (Chelonia virgata) is edible. The Hawke's Bill Turtle (Chelonia imbricata) supplies what is known in commerce as tortoise-shell. The Tortoises live on land, in fresh water. They are represented by a large shell of Testudo indica, and a small stuffed specimen of Emys guttata. The Crocodiles are represented by the Indian Crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), which is also found in North Australia, where it grews to an enormous size. The Lizards (Lacertilia) are represented by the Fiji Iguana (Brachylophus faciatus), the Jew Lizard (Trachydosaurus asper), Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), and others. The curious Pygopus lepidopus has no fore legs, and the hind legs are rudimentary. It connects the Lizards with the snakes. The venomous Snakes are represented by the Brown-banded Snake (Hoplocephalus curtus); the Sea Snakes, which have the tail flattened for swimming, by the Banded Sea Snake (Platurus scutatus); and the Pythons by Liasis amethysiinus from New Guinea.