54 REPTILIA. 



ACONTIAS, CUV.(I) 



Which still resembles the preceding in the structure of the head, 

 and in the eye-lids, but in which there is no sternum, nor vestige 

 of a shoulder or pelvis. The anterior ribs unite with each other 

 beneath the trunk, by cartilaginous prolongations. I have only found 

 one moderate sized lung, and another that is very small. The teeth 

 are small and conical, and I think I have perceived them in the pa- 

 late. These animals are easily recognized by their muzzle, which is 

 enclosed as in a sort of mask. 



The well known species, Anguis meleagris, L., Seb. II, xxi, 

 lj(2) inhabits the Cape of Good Hope. It resembles the A.fra- 

 gilis, but its obtuse tail is much shorter; eight longitudinal rows 

 of brown spots decorate its back. The same country produces 

 other species, one of which is completely blind, the Jlc. csecus, 

 Cuv. 



FAMILY II. 



SERPENTIA. 



The true Serpents, which are by far the most numerous, 

 comprise the genera without a sternum, and in which there 

 is no vestige of a shoulder, but where the ribs still surround 

 a great part of the circumference of the trunk, and where the 

 body of each vertebra is still articulated by a convex surface 

 to a cavity in the succeeding one ; the third eye-lid and the 

 tympanum are deficient ; but the malleus of the ear exists un- 

 der the skin, and its handle passes behind the tympanum. 

 There is still a vestige of a posterior limb, concealed under 

 the skin, in several of this family, and which in some of them 

 shows its extremity externally in the form of a small hook. (3) 



(1) Acontias (javelin) the Greek name of a Serpent, which was believed to 

 dart upon the passenger, from a.Kovlt^m, jaculor. 



(2) Daudin has also made an Erix of the Unguis meleagris, but v/ithout any 

 reason, for its inferior scales are not larger than the others. I have ascertained 

 by dissection that this Serpent has no sternum, so that the supposition of M. 

 Oppel to the contrary is erroneous. 



(3) Seethe dissertation (German) of M. Mayer on the posterior extremities of 

 the Ophidians, in the twelfth vol. des Curieux de la Nature of Bonn. 



