130 SCINCUS FASCIATUS. 



Habits. The Scincus fasciatus is found in shady places, principally in forests 

 of oak, and frequently under the bark of decaying trees. It feeds on various 

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

 with facility, is not easily taken alive. It very seldom, however, takes to 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; Haldeman has observed it in Pennsylvania; Dr. Geddings in Maryland; I 

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

 from Georgia near Florida: nor is the Scincus fasciatus confined to the Atlantic 

 states, for Dr. Pickering observed it in Ohio, and Dr. Pitcher in the state of 

 Michigan. 



•& 



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 Lacerta (Scincus) quinquelineata 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. 



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



