133 



Distribution from New Jersey to Oregon and south to Texas. In In- 

 diana it has been taken at Brookville (Dr. Hayniond) ; Bloomington 

 (BoUnian) ; Brown county (Nor. Sch. Coli.). It is said to be rather 

 coramon about Brookville, but rare in the neigKborhood of Bloomington. 

 Specimens were also seen by the author in Crawford county. One was 

 brought from near Wyandotte Cave liy W. P. Hay. Clark and Jefferson 

 counties (Butler). I have seen a specimen said by Mr. Fletcher Noe, 

 of Indianapolis, to have been taken by him near the city. It will prob- 

 ably be found to occur throughout the southern half of the State, at least 

 in localities where there are timber and sand, and an abundance of rocks. 

 In the South they are most abundant in the pine forests. On this ac- 

 count they have received the name of " Pine-tree Lizard." 



These little animals are extremely active and they 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 pursuers. DeKay states that when irritated in confinment they 

 elevate their spinous scales in such a manner as to present a very for- 

 midable appearance. They are perfectly harmless, although they are 

 often regarded as venomous. DeKay further says that they are able to 

 alter their colors, the back assuming an azure tint. 



Dr. C. C. Abbott, of New Jersey, has studied to some extent the 

 habits of this interesting animal. They were not disposed to seek safety 

 from pursuers in flight, but rather by concealment. They would dodge 

 behind the trunk of a tree, and might be caught in one hand while 

 trying to avoid the other. On being seized they do not fight and bite, 

 but become almost instantly tame. Where they were abundant the 

 children made pets of them and were never bitten. The lizards are ex- 

 tremely susceptible to changes of temperature. They are most active 

 at about 100° F. At lower temperatures they become sluggish ; at 

 temperatures much higher they seek to escape the direct rays of the 

 sun, and if the heat is still increased they are thrown into a state of 

 .lethargy. Their color appears to be highly protective, since they closely 

 resemble the rough gray bark on which they so often rest. Abbott came 

 to the conclusion that their vision is not acute, while their hearing is 

 sharp. In endeavoring to catch flies they often missed their aim, al- 

 though the insects were within easy reach. Their food consists of flies, 

 ants, small spiders and the like. Some of Dr. Abbott's experiments 

 tend to show that the so-called "pineal eye" is yet sensitive to the 

 light. 



The eggs are said to be 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 narrow, are covered with a tough coat, and are with- 

 out any calcareous material. The egg weighs about 20 grains. They 



