The Plated Lizards and Snake-like Species 



are much like the general ground colour and usually contain 

 rounded patches of white. The abdomen is greenish-white. 



Dimensions. — Following are the measurements of a specimen 

 of average size, from California: 



Total Length 1 1 1 inches. 



Length of Tail 7i " 



Greatest Diameter J " 



Width of Head f " 



Length of Head i in. (to behind ear.) 



Length of Hind Limb r ^ inches. 



Length of Front Limb i ,V " 



The largest specimen examined furnished the dimensions 

 given below: 



Total Length 15^ inches. 



Greatest Diameter i 



Width of Head J " 



Distribution. — This is the only species of the genus that is 

 widely distributed north of Mexico. It occurs throughout the 

 Pacific Coast region from British Columbia southward to Lower 

 California — inclusive. It ranges eastward into Texas, thence 

 into Mexico and Central America. 



Synonyms. — The following technical names have been 

 applied to this species: G. ccvruleiis, G. hurneiti, G. iviegmannii, 

 G. scincicauda, G. principis, G. grandis, and others that have 

 appealed to alleged sub-species or varieties. 



Habits. — As the species of this genus appeal closely to one 

 another in habits, these may be generally summed up under the 

 head of the present- reptile. The different species inhabit a 

 variety of country, being found in forests, rocky situations and 

 ... belts of chapparal. They are frequently found at an elevation 

 of from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. 



These lizards are less agile in their movements than other 

 lacertilians of their size — such as the swifts and skinks — though 

 they are by no means sluggish. However, they are more easily 

 captured than the majority of their kind. While progressing 

 leisurely over rough places, they are often quite snake-like in 

 actions, the slender body and long tail following the outlines of 

 the declivities, and, although the small limbs are constantly 

 in use, the eflfect resembles a gliding movement. Such actions 



162 ' 



