TUATARA LIZARD.
The London Zoo heard, unmoved, that a three-eyed haddock had just been caught by a Boston smack (writes “ L. G. M.” in the Daily Mailj. In the reptile house there is now a new three-eyed lizard, the biggest of its race ever seen in this country. This is the tuatara lizard, just presented by the New Zealand Government, and is a survivor of a fastvanishing race now protected by special laws. It was all the fault of Captain Cook, the famous explorer. He gave live mgs to the Maoris as a friendly present. The pigs took to rooting the tnataras out nf their tunnels, and these lizards are sow 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. Now they only change hands with the goodwill of the New Zealand Government. The third eye is on the top of the akull. It is a poor—but moat interesting—relic, which is seen at its best in the young lizard. In later life it ekins over. Of course, all these inherited characteristics are best seen in the young. 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 ciders.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 20310, 19 January 1928, Page 11
Word Count
234TUATARA LIZARD. Otago Daily Times, Issue 20310, 19 January 1928, Page 11
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