FAMILY OPHIOSAURID.-E. 33 



the New-York Reptiles on tlic authority of Dr. Eights, who informed mo tliat lie had taken it 

 near Fishkill, Dutchess county. I have since obtained it from Coklsprinsj, Putnam county. 

 It IS common over the southern and western States ; is extremely active, moving with almost 

 incredible celerity ; and when irritated in confinement, elevates its spinous scales in such a 

 mamier as to present a very formidable appearance. 



It inhabits in preference sandy and rocky situations ; and from its abundance in pine forests, 

 has obtained the name of Pine Lizard. It is also called the Brown Scu?-pion, and its aclivity 

 has doubtless suggested the name of Swiff. 



It is perfectly harmless, notwithstanding its apparently venomous aspect. Like the Cha- 

 meleon, and many other reptiles, it has the property of changing its color, the back assuming 

 an azure tint ; and by candle light, the blue stripes on the sides assume a dark brown or 

 chesnut color. From the observations of Messrs. Say and Peale, it would seem that the 

 bluish color beneath, and the white crucial mark, belong exclusively to the male. 



The Brown Swift is found throughout the west, and extends from the Gulf of Mexico to 

 the forty-third degree of nc^irth latitude. 



"Id' 



(EXTRA LIMITAL) 



T. it'iiihra. (Harlan, Mrd. and Phys. p. 140.) Burnt chesnut color ; beneath pale ash; underside 

 of neck deep blackish violet. Occiput spinous. Length 15 inches. Mexico. An Tropidolepis. ? 



FAMILY OPHIOSAURID^. 



Scales as in the Scincidm. Body more elongated, serpeiitiform.. Fret small, rudimentary, varying 

 in number, fmir or two ; these latter are either in front or behind. 



Obs. Thi.s llunily connects the order Sauria with the following. 



Cienus Chirotes. Ctivier. Body slender, snake-like. Scales verticillate. Head obUisc. Two ante- 

 rior feet oidy. 

 C. Iwmbricoides. (Say, Long's E.xped. Vol. 1, p. 484.) With two short fore legs; four toes to each, 



and the rudiment of a fifth. Eyes small. ■J'iO semi-rings on the body, and as many beneath. 



Length eight to ten inches. Slissuuri. 



Fauna — Paut :J. 



