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Reptiles of Massachusetts. — 55 
Length, three inches; tail, the length of the 
body, circular at the base, compressed towards the 
extremity. Whole upper part of the body, of a sal- 
mon brown color; on each side of the spine, from 
three to seven small ocellated spots of a beautiful 
vermillion color, surrounded by a black areola; skin 
above, covered with innumerable very minute tuber- 
cles, scarcely discernible without a glass, giving it a 
rough appearance. Beneath, of a golden orange 
color, sprinkled with minute black points, from the 
tip of the chin to the very extremity of the tail. 
Head three lines long, two wide, flattened; two 
longitudinal very obvious ridges, the length of the 
head, between the eyes. Eyes, not very prominent, 
of a deep black color, with a bright golden iris. 
Snout, obtuse. Anterior feet, with four toes; pos- 
terior, five toed. 
In young specimens, the whole back is soared 
with minute black dots, and the sides have fewer 
ocellated spots than in the adult. The largest speci- 
men in my possession, has seven ocellated spots on 
each side; in different specimens, these spots vary 
in number ; but in all the specimens I have seen, 
an equal number exists on each side of the spine, 
in the same specimen. 
The motions of this species are much less. rapid 
than those of the “erythronota.” Tt casts its skin 
in June. In the stomach of this species are found 
spiders, and detached portions of insects. 
Dr. Holbrook has received this species from Flor- 
ida; and J. W. Randall, M. D. of this city, brought 
me specimens from Hallowell, Maine. 
Se* 
