The Skinks or Smooth-scaled I^izards 



for the small salamanders — Spelerpes or Plethodon. If they are 

 grasped by the tail, they turn quickly, twisting that member 

 from the body and leaving it as a wriggling souvenir while the 

 lizard wastes no time in scurrying to shelter. Ultimately, a 

 new tail is grown, but it is always shorter than the original. 



Very few specimens were actually seen abroad, and these 

 were exceedingly timid, darting into the leaves and grass upon 

 the slightest disturbance. Although well protected by its sombre 

 hues, these closely matching the ground, the Brown-backed 

 Lizard has many enemies in the shape of snakes, particularly 

 the young of the genus Ophibolus; the Scarlet Snake (Cemophora), 

 also feeds largely upon it. 



The Ground Lizard thrives in captivity if provided with an 

 abundance of the proper food — ants and their larv« and the 

 grubs of the smaller wood-boring beetles. As most specimens 

 pass their time in hiding they are poor subjects for purposes of 

 observations. 



204 



