CROCODILIANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 235 



toe is uot quite as long as the second: the Iree portion of the longest 

 is less than half the head. There are no crests along the dorsal line. 

 There is a conspicuous longitudinal fold or tlap of skin beginning 

 about the middle of the chin and extending back sometimes over the 

 entire chest. 



I find a good deal of apparent variation in the proportions of the 

 head, which sometimes seems to be shorter and broader than as 

 described. I am, however, unable, with the series in hand, to find 

 any other characters to correspond. As far as I can judge, the form 

 with broader head is most abundant among specimens from the Mis- 

 sissippi Valley, those from the Atlantic States and Florida being as 

 described above. 



In the alcoholic specimen the color varies from light green to gray or 

 brownish olive; greenish white beneath, sometimes brassy or bronzed, 

 and palest about the pubic region. The edge of the upper jaw is 

 whitish, the space behind the eye (sometimes before it) blackish. Be- 

 neath the head are several faint longitudinal lines (two or three on 

 each side) of elongated spots, usually obsolete on the tip of the chin. 



Sometimes there is an indistinct olivaceous yellow tinge along the 

 back 5 the upper surfaces spotted with black, especially along this yel- 

 lowish region. 



Dumeril and Bibron find no difference between the common Anolis 

 of the Southern United States and one inhabiting Cuba, beyond the 

 brighter colors and the absence of the dusky patch on the temples. 

 On comparing pretty large series, however, I find that the cephalic 

 plates of the Cuban animal are smoother and more regular, especially 

 those on the side; the head more truncate anteriorly; the nostril 

 apparently farther back; the scales on the fore part of back and, to a 

 less extent, the body generally decidedly larger. The dilation of the 

 toes is also more conspicuous. The cheeks, as stated, are without the 

 brown patch. 



The Anolis caroUnensis is distributed from the Bio Grande to Flor- 

 ida, inclusive, and extends as far north as Kinston, ISTorth Carolina. 

 It is, moreover, common in the Bahama Islands and Cuba, where it 

 reaches a size rather superior to what is usual in the United States. 



The following notes as to the food, habits, and color changes of Anolis 

 jryixcipalis were made by Rev. S. Lockwood, who had a specimen under 

 observation for a number of months.' 



It was observed that Anolis did not fancy beetles, but was fond of 

 diptera or Hies, while an occjasional spider was taken with a relish. In 

 capturing its prey, which was i)ut alive into the fern case where the 

 lizard was confined, the whole process was direct and neatly done, and 

 the food secured without a bit of leaf or straw. Its cast-off skin, shed 

 several times in one summer, was also invariably eaten, and even the 

 bits that fell between the plants were carefully picked up. 



'Americau Ntituialist, X, 1876, p. 4. 



