72 SCINCUSLATERALIS. 



small and black; the tympanum apparent, the entrance large, with its anterior 

 margin destitute of projecting scales: two or three rows of very wide scales usually 

 follow the occipital plates. The body is elongated, somewhat quadrangular in 

 form, and nearly uniform in size throughout; the tail very long, and very gradually 

 tapering. The anterior extremities have five fingers, each furnished with a minute 

 and curved nail; the posterior extremities are rounded, the toes five in number, 

 each with a nail: the inferior surface of the toes is serrated, from the projecting 

 points of the scales or tubercles: the soles of the feet are also studded with small 

 tubercles of equal size. 



Colour. The whole superior surface of the head, body and tail, is a beautiful 

 chestnut; the inferior surface is silvery-white at the throat, yellow at the abdomen, 

 and this colour extends for a short distance beyond the vent; the lower surface 

 of the tail is blue, with a tinge of gray. In the female, the yellow of the abdomen 

 is but slight, being little more than white with a yellowish tinge. A remarkable 

 lateral line of jet black begins at the snout, runs through the eye, over the tym- 

 panum and shoulder, along the sides of the body and over the posterior extremities, 

 to beyond the middle of the tail; below this line the sides of the body are dark 

 gray. The superior surface of the extremities is darker chestnut than the back; 

 the inferior surface is light brown. 



Dimensions. Length of head and body to vent. If inches; of tail, 3i inches; 

 total length, 4| inches. It is our smallest an J most slendBi" species. 



Geographical Distribution. The range of Scincus lateralis begins certainly in 

 North Carolina, whence we have received specimens; it extends south as far as the 

 Gulf of Mexico, and is continued westward to the Mississippi river. Dr. Blanding 

 has observed this animal at Camden, S. C, Leconte in Georgia and Florida, Say on 

 the Mississippi; and how much farther west it may exist, cannot now be determined. 



Habits. The Scincus lateralis may be seen by thousands in the thick forests 

 of oak • and hickory in Carolina and Georgia; they emerge from their retreats 



