642 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



lizard ' is well chosen, as they seem exceedingly partial to rough 

 worm-fences that enclose unfrequented fields. The food of 

 this attractive little animal consists wholly of insects and their 

 larvae, as found beneath the decayed bark of prostrate trees or 

 fence rails. They are incapable of inflicting any wound, when 

 captured, and are wholly free from the venomous sting not un- 

 frequently attributed to them. Their habits render them a valu- 

 able animal, and they should be free from the molestation' so 

 common." 



Family SCINCID<. 



Skinks. 



EUMECES, Wieg. 



(Plestiodon.) 



E. fasciatus, L. (P. striatus Abbott's Catalogue.) Blue-tailed Lizard. 



Head sub-quadrangular ; body fusiform ; ear large ; color 

 blackish, with five yellowish streaks, the middle one forked, on 

 head; tail blue; old specimens reddish. Length, 8 to 11 inches. 

 Prof. Frank L. Nason reports having seen this secretive animal 

 on a mountain ridge three miles west of Midvale, near Wanaque 

 mine. J. N. 



" This beautiful skink is less generally distributed throughout 

 the State, being most usually met with in the dense swamps of 

 the southern counties. They are extremely shy and semi- 

 nocturnal in their habits, so that unless diligently sought for, are 

 not often seen. The food of this species is insects and their 

 larvas, which they hunt for diligently under the decaying bark 

 of trees; in which locality, too, they themselves generally rest 

 during the day. The motions of this little animal are the most 

 rapid of any creature of the State fauna. They are very diffi- 

 cult of capture. They, like the preceding, cannot bite so as to 

 inflict a wound, and are not venomous." 



