6C)G REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



In Feylinia there is a loag squamosal articulated to the side of the 

 parietal, as in Rliineura aud Cephalopeltis; the prem axillary is single, 

 and the palatine lamina' of the maxillary are dilated. The spleuio- 

 mental groove is open. There are two slender clavicles united 

 medially and giving insertion to the thoracic hiemapophyses. These, 

 according to IJathke, are present, but not in contact in Acontias, and 

 Peters aud Stannius failed to find them in Typhloscincus. The pelvis 

 I find to be represented by an oblique bone at the extremities of two 

 pairs of ribs on each side of the vent. 



Two of the three genera of this family display the following degra- 

 dational characters of the arches and limbs. 



Anelytropsis papillosns Cope, from Eastern Mexico. Xot previously 

 examined. 



No scapular arch; pelvic arch rudimental; no external limbs. 



Pelvic arch. — This is represented by two elements, a proximal and a 

 distal. The former is directed downward and forward. Its proximal 

 extremity is articulated with a single simple di apophysis, from which 

 it extends a short distance posteriorly in a horizontal direction as far 

 as the posterior extremity of the centrum of the same vertebra. From 

 the inner side of its distal extremity there extends posteriorly a simple 

 rod-like bone to a point in line with the anterior nmrgin of the vent. 

 Its length is about equal to that of the superior element. The superior 

 element is ilium, but the inferior does'not api)ear to be either j)ubis or 

 ischium. Its position and direction are not inconsistent with its iden- 

 tification with the femur; but as it occurs in snakes, which have a 

 rudimental femur, it can not be that bone. 



Observations. — The inferior element in the pelvis in this genus is the 

 same as that which I described as occurring in the African form of this 

 family, Feylinia [Anelytrops Hallowell), but the latter differs in the 

 absence of the rib-like ilium. It is interesting to notice the resem- 

 blance between these genera, which are so widely removed geographi- 

 cally. Feylinia, however, differs further from Anelytropsis in the pres- 

 ence of a pair of clavicles. 



Feylinia citrrori Gray. Described by me.' From West Africa. 



Scapular arch. — This consists of a pair of osseous clavicles which 

 nearly meet on the median line. The anterior ribs to the number of 

 seven pairs meet on the median line by their cartilaginous luema- 

 pophyses, which are directed forward at an acute angle, the angle of 

 the anterior pair intervening between the clavicles. 



Pelvic arch. — This consists of a single element lying on each side of 

 the vent antero-posteriorly, perhaps homologous with the correspond- 

 ing element in the Aunulati. It is in contact with the distal extremi- 

 ties of three ribs, aud is connected by ligament with a third anterior to 

 them. These are the last ribs, and they are followed by a pair of sacral 

 vertebrae whose diapophyses are united distally. 



' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, p. 230. 



