132 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



in males with most of the throat and a large elongate patch on each 

 side of the abdomen of a metallic blue or green color. (Garman.) 



One of my specimens from St. Louis County shows a dorso-lateral, 

 dark 'brown, nearly continuous band; and on the sides from four to five 

 vertical bars of the same color. 



Size. — Length from tip of snout to vent 68 mm.; tail 90 mm. (Fe- 

 male). 



Habitat. — The whole eastern United States from New 

 Jersey to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas. Abundant 

 in Missouri everywhere. 



Habits. — These little lizards are found under decaying 

 trees and under stones. During the day they bask in the 

 sun on old fences — hence their common name of "Fence 

 Lizards." When surprised they will attempt to climb a 

 tree, and because of their highly protective color, resemb- 

 ling very much the rough gray bark on which they rest, 

 may escape. Dr. C. C. Abbott of New Jersey 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, although the insects were within easy 

 reach. Some of Dr. Abbott's experiments tend to show 

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

 light. Their food consists of flies, ants, small spiders and 

 the like. Any warm day these lizards may be found sun- 

 ning themselves. 



Dates of capture. — Apr. 22 ; July 24 ; Sept. 1, 5 ; Oct. 3 ; 

 Nov. 7, 18. 



Genus phrynosoma. 



The body is very broad, greatly depressed, without dorsal crest, but 

 usually with a lateral fringe. The head is covered with small sub- 

 equal scales and bears bony spines on the occipital and temporal re- 

 gions. The tympanum is either distinct or partially or entirely scaled. 

 The dorsal scales are very irregular in size and shape. Series of fe- 

 moral pores and one or more transverse gular folds are present. Tail 

 short. Males with enlarged post-anal plates. 



