194 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis 
the course of an evening stroll through the woods. Specimens have 
been collected at Kimmswick, Goldman, Barnhart, Pevely, Danby, 
Hillsboro, Festus, and near High Ridge. They have never been ob- 
served to take food in captivity and fall easy prey to the larger, 
sapere lizards when confined with them. One large Sceloporus 
magister accounted for about four of these little creatures before it 
was discovered that he was the cause of their mysterious disappear- 
ance. ey are generally overlooked because of their concealing 
coloration. 
a anthracinus een a ei coal skink is rarely taken 
but it is probably more common than is generally believed, its 
ais “hibits and protective solseation adequately concealing it. 
Eumeces fasciatus bea chee blue-tailed skink is common 
swimmers over short distances, at least. Often the scratching noise 
of their tiny feet can be heard on the leaves in the woods. 
rphophis amoena vermis (KENNIcOTT)—-Worm snakes are 
moderately rare in collections from Jefferson County, perhaps due 
to the fact that they lead a subterranean life under rocks on shaded 
slopes. We have taken them at Festus, Big River Heights, Hematite, 
and Kimmswick. One individual taken near Festus was found under 
a nearly submerged rock in a very wet location where it had evi- 
dently been washed by the heavy rains of the preceding night. 
Diadophis punctatus arnyi (Kennicotr)—Ringneck snakes 
are moderately rare though generally common where found, un 
rocks on shaded slopes. We have taken them at Festus, Big River 
Heights, Goldman, and Kimmswick. A few have been found wan- 
dering a short distance from cover, but not man e specimen 
was seen heading for the water at Moss Hollow Spring and when 
efforts were made to capture it, it swam readily. Captives burrow 
during the day and become active at night, often climbing on plants 
in the cages. 
Heterodon contortrix (Linné)—The spreading adder is rare 
found in the lowlands, frequenting rocky creek beds and the vicinity 
of running water. One female disgorged a live Bufo ame 
