132 SAURIA. — SCINCID^. 



and are found in a rudimentary state under the 

 integument, the posterior ones constituting only 

 small undivided processes. These also being re- 

 moved, the Ophidian form of the present genus, 

 [Anguisi and those of Tortix, Typhloips, and 

 others, with all the AmphishcBnidce, succeed, in 

 which the bones of the shoulder, the sternum, 

 and the pelvis, exist in a more or less rudimentary 

 condition; and lead us towards the true Snakes, 

 in which all these parts are lost, excepting the 

 rudiments of a posterior extremity, which in the 

 Boa appears externally in the form of a small 

 horny hook, or holder, on each side of the vent. 

 In the Serpents, the gape, too, has assumed its 

 extreme power of extension, from the bones of 

 the jaws and other parts of the face being sepa- 

 rate ; and in most of them the scales, which in the 

 former groups were similar on the upper and 

 under parts of the body and tail, are small and 

 imbricated above, whilst beneath they assume the 

 form of broad transverse plates."* 



The Scinks have the head covered with large 

 horny plates, of angular forms, in contact with 

 each other at their edges, with the sutures or 

 divisions always distinct : the neck is of the same 

 size as the breast ; the body and limbs are clothed 

 with scales, more or less angular, frequently wide, 

 with a somewhat rounded edge, disposed in quin- 

 cunx (or like the meshes of a net), and over- 

 lapping each other, much like the scales of a 

 fish. The back is rounded, without any crest ; 

 the belly is also more or less rounded, and 

 covered with scales similar to those of the back. 

 The tongue is free, fleshy, not very thick, slightly 



* Brit. Reptiles, 40. 



