134 Hay Batrachians and Reptiles of D. C. 



24. Sceloporus undulatus (Bosc). Pine-tree Lizard. 



Head broad and flat, tapering to the short and rounded snout; tail 

 slender, forming considerably more than one-half total length; plates on 

 top of head rather large, a series of these above each eye; back of head 

 with three plates, the median larger than the lateral and with a central 

 translucent spot; scales of back and sides strongly keeled and pointed; 

 those of the ventral surface smaller and smooth. Olive, brownish or 

 nearly black, with undulating lines of dark brown across the back; a row 

 of whitish spots on each side of the back; the tail is crosslined with black 

 and the sides mottled with black and whitish. The males and, possibly 

 sometimes the females, with brilliant green or blackish throat patches 

 which are prolonged onto the arm and sides of the body. Length, 4 to 6 

 inches. 



In our region this harmless and interesting lizard is very common in 

 the higher and drier situations. It is often to be seen during the warm 

 days of summer basking in the sunshine on some exposed rail fence, or 

 log. The eggs are laid early in the summer and hatch in July. By the 

 latter part of August the young begin to shift for themselves and leave 

 the company of the adults. 



25. Cnemidophorus sexlineatus (Linn.). Six-lined Lizard. 



Long and slender, head pointed; top of head with a large median plate, 

 on each side of which, over the eyes, are four smaller plates; ear about 

 as large as eye; neck with two loose folds of skin below; front of thigh 

 and under surface of hind leg with enlarged scales; scales of upper surface 

 of body small, those below large and arranged in eight longitudinal rows; 

 tail nearly twice as long as head and body and covered with large keeled 

 scales. Olive or brownish or green, sides black, with three narrow stripes 

 of 'yellow; a greenish stripe on back of thigh prolonged on sides of tail. 

 Length, 6 to 10 inches. 



As to the occurrence of this species within our limits there is some 

 doubt, but it has been taken at no great distance both north and south 

 so it will doubtless be found here sooner or later. It runs with great 

 swiftness, is difficult to capture, and very little is known of its habits. 



26. Eumeces fasciatus (Linn.). Blue-tailed Skink, "Scorpion." 



Body slender or stoutish, head short, broad behind, snout rather blunt; 

 ear smaller than eye; neck very short and with no loose folds of skin; 

 tail longer than head and body; scales of back, sides and ventral surface 

 about equal in size and smooth, but a row of enlarged scales on under 

 side of tail.' Young and medium sized specimens nearly black above, 

 with five yellow lines running from the head to the middle of the tail; 

 the median line forking on the head; the extremity of the tail is often 

 bright blue. As the animal grows older, the stripes becomes obscure, 

 the color of the body becomes olive or brownish, and the head becomes 

 bright red. Length, 6 to 12 inches. 



