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THE ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Family Scincidae. 



Head, body, and tail covered with scales. Eyelids weD 

 developed, movable, scaly, or with a transparent disc. 



Short-toed Lizard . 



(Jiiit. Mils. Cat.) 



Genus Lygosoma. 



The characters of this g-enus are entirely osteological. and 

 cannot be given here. It Avill be sufficient to say that all the New 

 Zealand skinks, or true lizards, belong- to it. Asia, Africa, and 

 North America. 



These lizards are diurnal in habit, and move swiftlj', so that 

 they are difficult to catch ; but no one appears to have observed 

 them carefully. 



Key to the Species. 



1. Soles of the feet black. L. grande. 

 Soles of the feet yellowish. 2 



2. Tail forming much more than half the length. 3 

 Tail forming about half the length. 5 



3. Less than 32 rows of scales round the body. L. moco. 

 More than 32 rows of scales round the body. 4 



