70 ANOLIUS CAROLL\ENSIS. 



limits are among the most circumscribed of all our animals; it is not found farther 

 north than lat. 34°, and consequently not within six hundred miles of New York; 

 and its southern limit being the Gulf of Mexico, it follows then that four-fifths of 

 the United States is not inhabited by this animal. Milbert received his specimens 

 from the south, and afterwards sent them to Paris. 



Again: they say they have received a Cyclurus from the same source, and 

 suppose it to be common in our country, where, perhaps, never were seen half a 

 dozen living animals of that species, and they were all brought from Cuba, and 

 other West India islands, which is its native country. 



Habits. The Anolius Carolinensis is a bold and daring animal, haunting out- 

 houses and garden fences; and in new settlements it even enters the houses, 

 walking over the tables and other articles of furniture in search of flies. It is 

 very active, climbing trees with great rapidity, and leaping with ease from branch 

 to branch or from tree to tree, securmg itself even on the leaves, by means of the 

 oval disks of the fingers and toes, which enable it also to w^alk easily on glass, 

 and on the sides and ceilings of rooms. It feeds on insects, and destroys great 

 numbers, seizing them suddenly, and devouring them, unrestrained even by the 

 presence of man. 



In general they hibernate later than other animals of the same class; their 

 favourite retreats being gardens and old buildings; they often retire to green- 

 houses or conservatories, where they may be frequently seen active, even in 

 winter, but never of that rich yellow-green as in the summer season. In the 

 spring season they are extremely quarrelsome; two males seldom meet without a 

 furious battle, which frequently results in the loss of part of the tail, or some 

 other injury, to one or both of the combatants.* Before the contest, the animal 



* Le Pere Nicholson, in describing the roquet, an animal supposed for a long time to be 

 identical witli ours, has A-ery well described the habits of the Carolina Anolius. Essai sur 

 I'Hist. Nat. de Saint Domingue: Paris, 177G, p. 34S. 



