GEOUND LIZAED. 651 



not eontigaous. Length, 7i inches ; fore limbs, 1 ; head to axilla, IJ ; body, from 

 mnzzle to anus, 3 ; hind limba, 1^ ; tail, 4f ; diameter of head, |- ; diameter of body, i. 



Habitat, Massachusetts, New York, to Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, north to 

 Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. 



In the young the yellow stripes are very distinct, and dieappear with 

 age, as well as other marks of coloration, which, taken with a slight varia- 

 tion in the cephalic plates, would lead one to suspect a distinct species. 

 The female also probably differs from the male by the retention of the 

 characteristics of the young longer, it may be to an adult state. 

 The blue color of its tail may be due to its having been broken off and 

 reproduced, but it is probably its natural tint. 



The Blue-tailed Skink is found under bark in May ; it is very active in 

 its movements and difficult to capture. It lays nine oval eggs at a time; 

 is occasionally seen sunning itself, and when alarmed makes a rapid 

 retreat. 



Genus LYGOSOMA. Gray. 



Head sub-quadrangular ; palate edentulous ; nasals nearly contiguous ; supranasals 

 wanting ; rostral erect, triangular ; lower eyelid with a transparent disk in the center ; 

 body fusiform ; scales smooth ; external auditory meatns distinct. 



Lygosoma laterals Say. 



Oronnd Liizard. 



Sdncus lateralis, Say, Holbrook, Grat, Kirtland, Dumbkil and Bibkon. 

 Soinous unioolor, Harlin. 

 OHgosoma laieraU, Cope, Jordan. 

 Mocoa lateralis, Gunther. 

 Lygosoma laierale, DeKat, Baird. 



General color olivaceons with black dots, and a dark stripe margined with white on 

 each side ; abdomen and under parts yellowish ; tail blue, twice the length of the body ; 

 ear very large, circular, the anterior edge simple and rounded ; prefrontal plate very 

 long, narrowed anteriorly; post-frontals double ; two preanal scales largest. Length, 

 6 to 8 inches. 



Habitat, Florida. Georgia. South Carolina and Texas to " Illinois and Ohio." 



This species I find mentioned in Dr. Kirtland's report as having been 

 sent to him by Mr. Dorfeuille, and said to have been taken in Ohio. I 

 have not seen it from the State. 



Breeds in Georgia in the middle of March. 



FAMILY IGUANID^. THE IGUANAS. 



Body laeertiloid or raniform ; scales imbricated, usually not in whorls ; ventral region 

 covered with small plates or scales ; cephalic plates various or irregular ; tongue 

 papillose, simple, thick, fleshy, convex, emarginate, and slightly free an'ueriorly, but not 



