102 ' SCINCUSERYTHROCEPHALUS. 



The nostrils are large, latero-superior, and near the snout. The eye is small; 

 the iris dark; the pupil the darkest gray. The entrance to the external ear is 

 large and triangular; the bars of the triangle upwards. The neck is so contracted 

 as to give a swollen appearance to the posterior part of the head. 



The body is elongated, rounded, and covered with smooth imbricated scales, 

 arranged in longitudinal rows, both above and below, with two or three large 

 scales in front of the vent. The tail is thick at the root, but soon becomes small, 

 cylindrical, and greatly elongated; it is covered with imbricated scales above, like 

 the back; but below there is a central row resembling plates, with scales on either 

 side to about one-third of the distance, when the scales disappear, and the plates 

 are continued, as in some of the serpent tribe. 



The anterior extremities, as well as the posterior, are short, thick, and strong; 

 the former terminating in five fingers, the latter in five toes, all of which are 

 armed with short, small, curved nails. 



Colour. The head above is bright red. The body and tail above are olive, a 

 little darker on the sides. The throat and abdomen are yellowish-white. 



Dimensions. Length of head, 1 inch 3 lines; greatest breadth of head, 1 inch; 

 length of neck and body, 3 inches; length of tail, 7 inches; total length, 11 inches 

 3 lines. 



Habits. The Scincus erythrocephalus is found principally about the hollows 

 of trees, often at a height of thirty or forty feet from the ground, sometimes taking 

 up his abode in the woodpecker's last year's nest; he never makes his habitation 

 on or near the ground. Though shy and timid, he is very fierce when taken, and 

 bites severely, owing to the great strength of his jaws, as well as his savage 

 temper. The bite, however, though sharp and painful, is not, as is commonly 

 supposed, venomous. His food is insects. 



