156 



MR. A. LOVERIDGE ON 



Skink ; some of the finest specimens were found among the stones 

 of a camp incinerator which was being demolished ; beneath 

 stones, especially where there is an ant or termite nest, and in 

 accumulations of garden rubbish are other spots favoured by the 

 species. 



The tail of this Skink is so often reproduced that it is difficult 

 to obtain full-grown specimens with the original tail. Some 

 record lengths were, however, obtained : — 



Tail reproduced. 



Tail intact. 

 „ probably reproduced. 

 „ intact. 



„ probably reproduced. 



Average of 50 Lumbo specimens 5J inches (80*61 mm.). 

 Tails intact and reproduced. The 50 Lumbo specimens consisted 

 of 23 males and 27 females, so that the proportion of the sexes 

 is fairly equal ; all were collected in an area under 300 square 

 yards. 



The variability of the coloration of this species almost baffles 

 description. The tendency in Morogoro specimens w^as to be 

 heavily spotted with black on a ground-colour of purplish brown, 

 a very handsome form. The Lumbo specimens inhabiting a 

 sandy soil were more often of a light brown colour. Notes made 

 at the time read : " Very variable. Usually plumbeous above and 

 dirty white below. Underside of tail as often mottled as not. 

 Some specimens mottled all over upper surface with black and 

 white; black spots oblong, white spots round or oval. Others 

 again are plain above, but mottled on the sides and tail." The 

 uniform dirty white of the under surface is noticeable in these 

 Lumbo specimens when compared with those obtained at Moro- 

 goro, which are generally mottled on the under surface of head 

 and body as well as tail. 



Three females were found with developing eggs : — (i.) 2 eggs 

 7x6 mm; (ii.) 4 eggs 12x8 mm.; (iii.) 4 eggs 15x8 mm. 

 All Lumbo (three very young specimens taken) : — (i.) Morogoro, 

 l.ii. 18, 76 mm. ; (ii.) Lumbo, vii. 18, 85 mm. ; (iii.) Morogoro, 

 1. ii. 17, 91 mm. 



Freshly emerged bluebottles were more often found in their 

 stomachs than any other food ; specimens from the incinerator 

 afore-mentioned were particularly well fed on these. Bluebottle 

 puppe were also found. Pup?e and ordinary flies (Muscidje), 

 beetle, lizard's tail, lizard's scales. The two specimens found 

 with lizard remains in their stomach had probably been feeding 

 on Ahlephm^us wahlhergi, which was abundant in the same patch 

 of ground. 



Natives always kill these inoffensive creatures, supposing from 

 their snake-like aspect that they are poisonous. 



Largest Morogoro. Male ? (140'? mm.). 



„ Female ? (132-? mm.). 



8 inclies (lOo'lOO mm.), 

 Lumbo. Male 7 „ ( 97-80 mm.). 



7i „ ( 95-90 mm.). 

 Female 7i (106-84 mm.). 



