TUATARA LIZARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 82, 17 January 1928, Page 2

TUATARA LIZARD.

GIFT TO LONDON ZOO. The London Zoo heard, nmnoved, that a 3-eyed haddock had just been caught by a Boston smack, writes “L.G..M” in the “Daily Mail.” In the Reptile House there is now a new 3eyed lizard, the biggest of its race ever seen in this country. This is the Tuatara lizard, just presented by the New Zealand Government, . a survivor of a fast-vanishing race now protected by special laws. It was all the fault of Captain Cook, the famous explorer. He gave live pigs to the Maoris as a friendly present. The pigs took to rooting the tuataras out of their tunnels, and these lizards are now extinct save on a few outlying islands, where the lighthouse-keepers have been appointed their guardians. Forty years ago you could get a tuatara for a sovereign (a gold coin once familiar in this country). In 1914 they cost £ls each. Nov/ they only change hands with the goodwill of the New Zealand Government.

The third eye is on the top of the skull. It is a poor—hut most interesting—relic, which is seen at its best in the young lizard. In later life it skins over. Of course, all these inherited characteristics are best seen in the voting. Your infant plaice swims for a little time on an even keel (like his remote ancestors) before lazily flopping on to his side like his elders.