AUGUST. 201 



obtains in inverse ratio to the abundance of the animal. 

 Where exceedingly rare the lizard is dreaded ; while, where 

 abundant, as at May's Landing, it is a favorite pet with 

 the children. 



.Probably a closer study of animal life would materially 

 reduce the list of species supposed to be harmful by those 

 who see but little and know absolutely nothing about 

 them, and put an effectual check upon those who, taking 

 advantage of the ignorance of their audiences, assert de- 

 liberate falsehoods, because more entertaining than the 

 simple truth. 



As is well known, the pine-tree lizard is quite sensitive 

 to low temperatures. It does not make its appearance in 

 southern New Jersey earlier than May, nor remain abroad 

 later than September. Of course, this is a general state- 

 ment, and only approximately true, as all such statements 

 must be. Perhaps there can be found nothing more ab- 

 surd in scientific literature than the frequent ex-cathe- 

 dra statements — ^for instance, concerning the movements 

 and range of our birds, as though the latter recognized 

 any other law than that of their own convenience and 

 fancy. 



At May's Landing I found the lizards sensitive even 

 to the ordinary variations of temperature of average sum- 

 mer days, observing that whenever it was cloudy, they 

 were far less abundant, and actually sluggish. On the 

 other hand, the extreme degree of heat to which they are 

 willing to expose themselves is not a very high one, judg- 

 ing from the actions of a large number kept in confine- 

 ment. 



Fifteen adult lizards were placed in an inclosure in 

 which every prominent feature of their homes was repro- 

 duced. I found that at 120° Fahr., with the atmosphere 

 perfectly still, they invariably sought shelter, clustering in 

 one cooler and dark corner; but at 100° they were ex- 



