112 NEW SPECIES OF LIZARD. 



of the amphibia, particularly the frogs and lizards, is very 

 various at different times, even in the course of the same day 

 or hour. This difference of weight is often entirely indepen- 

 dent on any aliment, whether solid or fluid, being taken into 

 the stomach, and must be ascribed to the absorption of 

 water. 



Philadelphia, April 15th, 1803. 



POSTSCRIPT. 



I believe all the smaller species of lizards, as well those 

 which have a rougher, as those with a smoother skin, shed 

 their coats annually. I think every species sheds its skin at 

 least once every year. Perhaps, some species cast their coats 

 twice a year, and some facts lead me to believe, that different 

 individuals of the same species vary not a little in this respect. 

 The same irregularity is observable in the rattle-snake (Crotalus 

 horridus), as I know from my own observations. 



After the preceeding paper was read to the Society, I had 

 an opportunity of marking the progress of the desquamation 

 or shedding of the skin of the lacerta subviolacea. On the 

 27th of April, it was first observed, that this process had com- 

 menced. The first appearance of the change was on the tail. 

 At 12 o'clock, the skin began to loosen on the side of the 

 thorax. At 4 o'clock it extended from the thorax to the tail, 

 where it had commenced. 



28th. This morning, the skin entirely peeled off the tail 

 and the abdomen, and was scattered about in shrivelled por- 

 tions. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the skin of the feet was 

 drawn off entire, having the appearance of a glove. 



29th. This morning, the animal had entirely lost its skin. 



I have now reason to believe, that the lizard never ate any 

 thing during the whole of the time it continued in my pos- 

 session. 



