73 



SuB-OEDER II. ECAUDATA. Oppel. Dumeril et Bibron. 



CHARACTERS. 



1. There is no vestige of a tail 



o 



2. The head is large and flattened; the opening of the mouth extensive, often 



reaching behind the cranium. 



3. The upper jaw and palate bones are sometimes armed with teeth, which are 



always small, little developed, and are all nearly of the same size. 



4. The lower jaw is destitute of teeth. 



5. The tongue is fleshy, adherent in front, more or less movable at its posterior 



extremity, and sometimes exsertile. 



6. The body is short, thick, and covered either with a smooth or warty skni, 



which does not adhere to the muscles beneath, but envelopes them loosely, 

 like a sack. 



7. The extremities are four in number and of unequal length; the anterior are 



smaller and rounded; the posterior are much larger, flattened, and often 

 palmated. 



8. They are oviparous, and the eggs are commonly united in a glairy mass, or in 

 Vol. IV.— 10 



