288 



APODA. 



be fixed to the branchial arches, but they did 

 not project beyond the external orifice. These 

 observations were made on a specimen four 

 inches and a half in length, (without dissection, 

 however,) while an adult specimen more than a 

 foot long, exhibited no trace of the apertures. 



We may add that these Reptiles resemble 

 the Eels among Fishes in the form and struc- 

 ture of the skeleton, the articulation of the 

 jaws, the mode of im|)lantation of the teeth, 

 and some other particulars ; but the junction 

 of the head with the spine by two condyles, 

 the presence of lungs, and the nostrils opening 

 distinctly within the cavity of the mouth, remove 

 them from the Class of Fishes. 



The tongue is large, thick, co- 

 vered with 2^apillce, fixed by its 

 edges on the gums in the hollow 

 of the lower jaw ; not protractile, 

 nor forked, nor sheathed at the 

 base. The eyes are excessively 

 minute, nearly hidden by the skin, 

 sometimes not distinguishable : and 

 the orbits are pierced with only a 

 small hole in the skull. The latter 

 presents one continuous vaulted piece, forming a 



bony buckler. 



Of the habits of these cu- 

 rious animals, exceedingly 

 little is known. Cu^ier 

 states that their intestines 

 have been found charged 

 SKULL OF ciEciLiA. wltli Vegetable matter, to- 

 gether with soil, and sand ; 

 but the character of their teeth as well as ana- 



MOUTH OF 

 RINGED CECILIA 



