THE LIZARDS 183 



with them they drag their elongated body when progress- 

 ing slowly, or wriggle away with limbs folded against 

 the side of the body, when frightened; others have a 

 minute pair of hind legs only; many species are entirely 

 limbless. In no other family can we find such a mix-up 

 of degenerating forms. In the genus Lygosoma — 

 containing over 160 species — are members with two pairs 

 of fairly well-formed legs, others with two pairs 

 of rudimentary legs, a few with but a pair of hind legs 

 and several that are absolutely limbless. The intergra- 

 dations of limb development run such riot in the face 

 of absolutely no marked difference in the general sca- 

 lation, we are compelled to place these eccentric forms 

 under one generic head. 



The Five-Lined Skink, Eumeces quinquelineatus, 

 is typical of that group of skinks having well-formed 

 limbs. The scales are smooth, shining, almost glassy, 

 producing an effect that is at once different from lizards 

 of other families except certain members of the An- 

 guidce. This species ranges from Massachusetts to 

 Florida and westward to Texas. It is rare in the North- 

 ern States, but swarms in the pine regions of the South- 

 east. Old males are ten inches long and have a wide, 

 triangular head. The females seldom grow over seven 

 inches long, are more slender and the head shows little 

 swelling at the temples. From the youth to the adult 

 state there is a strange transition in coloration. Young 

 and old examples are so entirely different, they were at 

 one time, not far remote, thought to represent well- 

 defined species. The immature specimens are jet black 

 with five bright yellow stripes running lengthwise on the 

 body ; the tail of such individuals is of brilliant blue and 

 in wonderful contrast to the colors of the body. As the 

 lizard approaches maturity the body assumes a brownish 



