678 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



hypapophyses of the cervical vertebrjp, and the open central chevrons of 

 the caudals. The peculiar pelvic bone differs entirely from that which 

 is seen in genera of Anguidte, which are equally without posterior limbs, 

 and is only approached by that of the Anelytropidte among other liz- 

 ards. It more nearly resembles a corresponding element in the perop- 

 odous snakes, when a rudimental ilium and pes are also present, and 

 the TyphlopidiB (Fiirbringer), where no rudiment of leg exists. Its 

 nearest point of affinity to the other Sauria is seen in the Anelytropid^e. 

 The contents of the superfamily includes four families, which fall 

 into two groups, as follows : 



I. Scales present ; an eye-fissure ; tongue papillose; teeth pleurodont ; no limbs. 



Anniellid^. 



II. No distinct scales nor eye fissure; tongue scaly: 



Teeth pleurodont; anterior limbs Eijchikotid^. 



Teeth pleurodont; no limbs AMPHiSByENiD^E. 



Teeth acrodont ; no limbs Trogoxophid^. 



The above families agree in several characters not included in the 

 above diagnosis of the superfamily. Thus, all have a single premaxil- 

 lary, but double nasals and frontals. The premaxillary is in contact 

 with the vomer. The articular and suraugular bones are united, while 

 the angular is distinct. The coronoid bone has little horizontal extent 

 on the external face of the ramus. 



All the forms are vermiform and of subterranean habits. 



Boulenger thinks that the Amphisboenidae are allied to the Teiidfc 

 through such forms as Ophiognomon and Microdacfyhis. 1 have already 

 pointed out the characters of this type under the Teiidae in descrfbing 

 the anatomy of the genus Propus. There is nothing especially Amphis- 

 bfenian other than what may be observed in serpentiform lizards of 

 several families, althougii the external appearance of these Teiid forms 

 is in favor of such a view. Anniella, the least typical of the Annulati, 

 is nearer to the Diploglossa in the character of the tongue, and it is not 

 unlikely that it is to this group after the Annulati that it is most nearly 

 allied, as remarked by Boulenger in the Catalogue of Lizards of the 

 British Museum. 



EUCHIROTID^. 



Chirotida! Gray, Cat. Tort., Amphisb., Brit. Mus., 1844. 

 Three genera of this family are known as follows: 



Digits, five ; all clawed Euchirotes Cope. 



Digits, five ; one smaller and clawless Bipes Lacepide. 



Digits, three; clawed Hemichiroies Duges. 



Each of these genera includes a single species, which is character- 

 ized as follows: 



Euchirotes biporns Cope. Tail twice as long as head; anus preceded 

 by a transverse series of six large plates, which extend to the abdomi- 

 nal scuta; a single preanal pore each in a single scale in front of the 

 external preanal plate. Nasal plates nearly in contact in front. Cape 

 St. Lucas, Lower California. U. S. National Museum. G. Eisen. 



