48 



SCINCUS FASCIATUS. 



species of insects, and is very lively and rapid in its motions; and as it climbs with 

 facility, is not easily taken alive. It seldom, however, takes to the trees, unless 

 to escape its pursuers; but, like the Scincus quinquelineatus, is almost always 

 found on the ground, or on the trunks of fallen trees, which it chooses for its 

 basking place. 



Geographical Distribution. This animal is found in several of the Atlantic 

 states; Dr. Haldaman has observed it in Pennsylvania; Dr. Geddings in Maryland; 

 I have seen it in the Carolinas, and have received specimens from Georgia, the 

 Floridas, and Alabama: nor is the Scincus fasciatus confined to the Atlantic 

 states, for Dr. Pickering observed it in Ohio, and Say even as high as Engineer 

 cantonment, on the Missouri. 



General Remarks. It is not a little singular that this animal should have 

 been so frequently confounded with the Scincus quinquelineatus, when they are 

 so entirely distinct, as may readily be seen by a reference to the accompanying 

 plates. Catesby first described the Scincus fasciatus, and gave a tolerable plate 

 of it, under the name blue tailed lizard, in his History of Carolina, &c. Linnaeus 

 next received it in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae, under the name 

 Lacerta fasciata; nor can there be any doubt of his meaning, for his first reference 

 is to Catesby's "lacerta cauda cerulea," his second to Pettiver,* which reference 

 must go for little, as no one can positively determine at this time what animal 

 Pettiver had in view. The same description and the same references are continued 

 in his twelfth and last edition; although here for the first time appears, as a new 

 species, the Scincus quinquelineatus sent him by Garden. Gmelin also, in his 

 edition of the Systema Naturae, received very properly the Scincus fasciatus and 

 Scincus quinquelineatus as different species. 



Schneider appears to have been the first to consider these two animals as nearly 

 identical; for, in describing the Scincus quinquelineatus, he says: "Forte Linnaei 



* Gaz. Nat. et Art, pi. i. fig. 1. 



