58 THE COMMON SKINK. 



of the back are keeled, and its color is coppery gray, with five rows of rather oblong white 

 spots with black centres, and a few black streaks drawn obliquely upon the sides of the 

 neck. 



THE DELMA (Delma fraseri) is very like the Pygopus, but may be distinguished from it 

 by the scales of the back, which are smooth and without keels, by the shorter hinder limbs, 

 the absence of the pores, and the elliptical shape of the pupil of the eye, that of the Pygopus 

 being circular. 



Two more small families of reptiles are worthy of a passing notice. The first is that 

 which is represented by a single species, the APEASIA (Aprasia pulchellaj, and remarkable 

 for being destitute of limbs, and having none of the pores which have just been mentioned. 

 The body is lengthened, and covered with six-sided scales on the upper surface and flanks. 

 The scales are quite smooth, and their color is pale brown, with a dot of dark hue in the 

 centre of each scale, giving a sort of variegated aspect. Along the flanks these dots become 

 longer, so that they almost join each other, and form imperfect streaks on the sides. The lips 

 are yellow. This reptile inhabits Western Australia. 



THE next family contains only one genus, which, like the preceding creature, inhabits 

 Australia. In these reptiles the head is long and flattened, the pupil of the eye elliptical and 

 upright, the scales are oval, smooth, and overlap each other, and the curious pores are present, 

 each set in the front edge of a scale. BURTON'S LIALIS (Lialis burtoni) may be taken as an 

 example of this family. The color is olive above, with five imperfect brown streaks, and gray 

 below, with large whitish spots. 



THE large and important family of the Skinks contains between forty and fifty genera, 

 nearly each of which possesses one or more species, concerning w r hich there is something 

 worthy of notice. In these reptiles the head is rather squared than rounded, and covered 

 regularly with horny shields. The body is mostly spindle-shaped, thovgh sometimes of a 

 cylindrical form, and very much elongated, in which case the legs are generally rudimentary, 

 and sometimes altogether wanting externally. The common blind-worm is a familiar example 

 of this structure. The tail suits the form of the body, being cylindrical in the long-bodied 

 species, and tapering in those of a more spindle-like shape. 



The genus in which the COMMON, or OFFICINAL SKINK is placed, is now so restricted, that 

 it only contains a single species ; but in the earlier times of zoological science, its rules were 

 so greatly relaxed, that many species were admitted within its limits. 



In this genus the muzzle is wedge-shaped, the scales are thin and smooth, and the tail 

 conical and pointed. The toes are rather flattened, and fringed on the side. They eyes are, 

 guarded by distinct eyelids, the lower of which is covered with scales. The palate is 

 furnished with teeth, and has a longitudinal groove, and the ears are small, and toothed in 

 front. There are four short and rather stout limbs, tolerably strong, and enabling the 

 creature to make its escape from its enemies by rapidly sinking below the sandy soil on which 

 it is usually found. 



The Skink is a native of Northern Africa, and is very common in some localities. Speci- 

 mens are said to have been found in some portions of Asia, and it seems to be clearly proved 

 to inhabit Syria and several parts of India. 



It is a tolerably active little Lizard, not running fast or far, but contenting itself with 

 hanging about the same locality, and feeling itself more secure on the sandy soil of its native 

 districts, than if wandering at large on the plains. Indeed, unless it is alarmed, or except 

 when it is aroused to short exertions by the presence of its prey, the Skink seldom troubles 

 itself to hurry its pace beyond a slow crawl ; and not even when most startled, does it attempt 

 to seek safety in flight. No sooner does it perceive the approach of danger, than it slips 

 below the sand with such singular speed and adroitness, that those who have witnessed this 

 performance, say that it seems rather to be gliding into some hole already excavated, than 



