118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxviir. 



lopsided, measuring 0.55 b}^ 0.33 by 0.30. The following measure- 

 ments, selected from over fift}^ taken in the held, show some of the 

 variations: 



0.71 by 0.37 0.57 by 0.3-1: inches. 



.70 by .33 .5(5 by .37 inches. 



.69 by .21 .55 by . .39 inches. 



.Q^ by .35 .19 by .30 inches. 



.m by .38 .17 by .32 inches. 



•It may be seen that the length varies from 0.17 to 0,71 inch, and the 

 short diameter from 0.21 to 0.39 inch. 



While fresh the eggs are pink as an}- dove's Qgg^ and, as might be 

 expected, they become dark as the embryos develop. In the older 

 eggs there is a reduction of the difference between the two diameters, 

 the shell is more tense and the calcareous (?) matter is distributed in 

 stellate spots. 



The young escapes through a longitudinal slit a quarter of an inch 

 long near one end of the Qgg, or the slit may be across one end. 

 Occasionally there are two convergent slits, which meet near the end 

 of the Qgg^ forming a flap. The embryo lies in the shell with the 

 bod}" and tail coiled in snail fashion, the yolk being at the head end. 

 Within 10 to 20 seconds after the envelope cracks the young lizard is 

 out and away, being able to take care of himself at once. The follow- 

 ing measurements are of a just-hatched young: 



Inches. 



Total length 1. 80 



Vent to tip of tail 1. 00 



Snout to ear 24 



Fore lini1) 30 



Hind limb 36 



A few fresh eggs taken December 19 and kept on shipboard, resting 

 on damp earth, hatched Jamtary 30. The head shields of the embryos 

 show the same variations as the adults. 



