The Plated Lizards and Snake-like Species 



Colouration. — The pattern is strongly defined — the ground 

 colour being ashy gray or pale olive, crossed by bars of pale 

 brow n that are narrowly bordered with black. The tail is brightly 

 ringed above. 



Distribution. — Southern Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas 

 and northern Mexico. 



THE PLATED LIZARD 



Gcrrhonotus imbricaius, (Wieg.) 



Differs from the two preceding species, in its more obsolete 

 pattern, proportionately shorter tail and broader head. In 

 front of the large shields between the eye are three pairs oj smaller 

 shields, in place of the three shields arranged in triangular fashion 

 that will be noted with the majority of the species. The scales 

 of the back are strongly keeled to the number of eight or ten 

 rows; those of the sides are smooth. 



Colouration. — The pattern is very indistinct, and the majority 

 of old specimens are uniform brown. 



Dimensions. — Total Length ro} inches. 



Length of Tail 4f " 



Greatest Diameter i J " 



Width of Head i 



Length of Head (to back of ear) . . . i J 



Distribution. — The extreme southwest portion of Texas, 

 and possibly southern Arizona and New Mexico; northern and 

 central Mexico generally. Occurs to an elevation of 1 1,000 feet. 



The Genus Ophisaurus. — But one species of this genus is 

 known. It is the familiar Glass "Snake," quite snake-like in 

 aspect; having no traces of external limbs. In North America, 

 it is the only limbless representative of the Family Anguidce. 

 The limbless species of this family occur principally in southern 

 Europe, Asia and Africa. The Sheltopusic {Pseudopus apus), 

 and the Blind "Worm" (Anguis jragilis), are familiar Old World 

 examples. 



A description of the New World species follows: 



THE GLASS "SNAKE" 

 Ophisaurus ventralis, (Linn.) 

 The bodv is slender, elongated and very serpentine, with 

 no traces of limbs. From a snake, however, this creature may at 



i6s 



