GROUND LIZARD. 651 
* 
not contiguous. Length, 7} inches; fore limbs, 1; head to axilla, 1}; body, from 
muzzle to anus, 3; hind limbs, 13; tail, 42; diameter of head, §; diameter of body, 4. 
Habitat, Massachusetts, New York, to Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, north to 
Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. 
In the young the yellow stripes are very distinct, and disappear with 
age, as well as other marks of coloration, which, taken with a slight varia- 
tion in the cephalic plates, would lead one to suspect a distinct species. 
The female also probably differs from the male by the retention of the 
characteristics of the young longer, it may be to an adult state. 
The blue color of its tail may be due to its having been broken off and 
reproduced, but it is probably its natural tint. 
The Blue-tailed Skink is found under bark in May; it is very active in 
its movements and difficult to capture. It lays nine ovaleggs ata time; 
is occasionally seen sunning itself, and when alarmed makes a rapid 
retreat. 
Genus LYGOSOMA. Gray. 
Head sub-quadrangular; palate edentulous; nasals nearly contiguous; supranasals 
wanting ; rostral ereci, triangular; lower eyelid with a transparent disk in the center ; 
body fusiform ; scales smooth ; external auditory meatus distinct. 
LyGosOMA LATERAL Say. 
Ground Lizard. 
Scincus lateralis, Say, HOLBROOK, GRAY, KIRTLAND, DUMERIL and BIBRON. 
Scincus unicolor, HARLIN. 
Oligosoma laterale, COPE, JORDAN. 
Mocoa lateralis, GUNTHER. 
Lygosoma laterale, DEKAY, BarRb. 
General color olivaceous with black dots, and a dark stripe margined with white on 
each side; abdomen and under parts yellowish ; tail blue, twice the length of the body ; 
ear very large, circular, the anterior edge simple and rounded; prefrontal plate very 
long, narrowed anteriorly ; post-frontals double; two preanal scales largest. Length, 
6 to 8 inches. 
Habitat, Florida. Georgia. South Carolina and Texas to ‘ Illinois and Ohio.” 
This species I find mentioned in Dr. Kirtland’s report as having been 
sent to him by Mr. Dorfeuille, and said to have been taken in Ohio. I 
have not seen it from the State. 
Breeds in Georgia in the middle of March. 
FAMILY- IGUANIDA. THE IGUANAS. 
Body lacertiloid or raniform ; scales imbricated, usually not in whorls; ventral region 
covered with small plates or scales; cephalic plates various or irregular; tongue 
papillose, simple, thick, fleshy, convex, emarginate, and slightly free anveriorly, but not 
