SNAKE-LIZARDS. 137 



In the stomachs of such individuals as we have 

 dissected, we found only vegetable food ; frag- 

 ments of large fruits, bitten off but not masti- 

 cated ; and the soft white bases of the spongy 

 leaves of buhush were conspicuous. The flesh 

 .has been cooked and eaten by those who could 

 overcome the general aversion with which the 

 animal is viewed, and it was found to be excellent. 



The female brings forth her young alive ; these 

 are numerous, for we have taken seventeen young, 

 perfectly formed and nearly ready for the birth, 

 from the body of one mother. These were about 

 five inches in total length, of which much more 

 than half belonged to the tail, a proportion very 

 different from that of the adult. 



Genus Anguis. (Linn.) 



The great disparity of form which we have 

 already alluded to between the genera of the 

 Family before us, induces us to select two exam- 

 ples for its illustration. In the genus Celestus, 

 the limbs, though small, are perfectly formed, 

 and furnished with the full number of perfect 

 toes ; the body is thick and stout, and the whole 

 appearance Lizard-like. In the genus Anguis, 

 there is not the slightest appearance of any 

 external limbs, the body is very long, slender, 

 and cylindrical, and the whole appearance is 

 Snake-like. Indeed so completely is this the 

 case, that not only by unscientific observers, but 

 by such men as Linnaeus, Cuvier, and other 

 illustrious zoologists, the Slow-worms have been 

 arranged with the Serpents. Yet the agreement 

 is merely superficial ; they certainly form, as 



