CROCODILIAXS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 



373 



extondetl forward, reaching almost or quite to the eye. Free portion of longest toe 

 longer than the cephalic plates. Tail one and a half times the head and body. 

 Femoral pores very distinct and large. Scales on inside of femur and on helly 

 smooth. General characters of form and coloration as in S. undnlatns. 



The general characters of this forEi are much as ascribed in S. occi- 

 dentalism the most striking difference consisting in the much longer 

 limbs, appreciable on the sliglitest comparison. It attains a considera- 

 bly larger size, and the coloration is more vivid beneath, the blue of 

 chin and sides more extended. The femoral pores are much more con- 

 spicuous. Its range is different, being confined to southern California 

 or to tlie inountaiuous interior, while the otlier belongs to the northern 

 coast region and to Oregon and Washington. 



A form from Arizona is described by Stejueger, under the name 8. 

 elonyatus, as having very elongate hind legs and tail. The hind leg 

 measures 52 mm., while the body measures GO mm. The leg is therefore 

 not so long as in the longipes form. It does not differ otherwise from 

 the S. undulatuH. 



The Scehporiis undulatus, or " Fence lizard," as it is commonly called, 

 is abundant in dry and wild regions iu the Alleghenian and Carolinian 

 districts of the Eastern region, It is usually seen running on fences, 

 logs, or trunks of trees with great activity, alternating with periods of 

 watching of the iutruder on his haunts. It is very expert in dodging 

 round the bodies on which it rests, defying for a long time attempts 

 to capture it. 



Prof. O. P. Hay' writes as follows about the habits of this species: 



These little animals are extremely active, and thej- are able to run with great 

 swiftness. Holbrook says that they are often found under the bark of decaying 

 trees. It chooses also old fences as its basking places. It is given to climbing trees 

 in search of insects and for safety from ])ursuers. De Kay states that when irritated 

 in confinement they elevate their spinous scales in such a manner as to present a 

 very formidable appearance. They are perfectly harmless, although they are often 

 regarded as venomous. De Kay further states that they are able to alter their colors, 

 the back assuming an azure tint. 



The eggs are said to ho laid in the sand, probably in little groups. They are 

 deposited about .June 1, and are hatched about July 10. The eggs are long and nar- 

 row, are covered with a tough coat, and are without any calcareous material. The 

 eggs weighs about 20 grains. They are abandoned to their fate, but when the 

 young are Iiatched they are treated with the utmost gentleness by all the adult.s. 



Scdoporus nnduhituii loululatiis Laireille. 



' The Batrachians and Reptiles of the State of Indiana. Indianapolis, 1893, p. 133. 



