98 THE NATUEALIST IN BEKMUDA. 



EEPTILIA. 



Geeen Turtle (Ohelonia mydas). This is the common 

 turtle of the Bermudas. Not abundant. 



Hawks-bill Turtle {Chelonia imhricata). Sometimes 

 called " tortoishell turtle." Not unfrequently taken. 



A species of Skink [Scincus), is very common on the 

 Islands, frequenting the old walls and stone heaps in 

 the cedar groves. The collector must he careful, in captur- 

 ing his specimen, not to take hold of the tail, as in the 

 struggle to free itself, this agile creature is apt to save its 

 body at the expense of its appendage. 



Mr. Hurdis has the following note upon this species : — 

 " May 8, 1849. Examined a specimen of the lizard 

 common in these Islands, which was found lying dead on a 

 public road. Length 7 inches ; upper parts entirely dark 

 brown, without any appearance of longitudinal stripes; 

 cheeks, and under side of the head and throat, ferruginous 

 salmon colour ; under parts, light bluish ; jaws famished 

 with teeth of a globular form; could perceive no second 

 row on the palate. In other respects this reptile agreed 

 with the description of S. fasciatus, the blue tailed skink 

 of the New York EeptUia. The specimen appeared to have 

 been kOled some time, and had doubtless lost much of its 

 true colour." 



Snakes are unknown in the Bermudas, although we 

 believe an instance has occurred of a dead specimen being 

 found, which, however, was proved to have been transported 

 in a truss of hay from New York. Long may their ever- 

 green groves and grassy banks be free from these noxious 

 reptiles ! 



