ABEAXCHIA. 



365 



The body of these creatures is veiy nearly cylindrical. Their skin 

 is smooth, and transversely furrowed by annular wrinkles. At first 

 sight it appears to be completely naked ; but, on dissection, small 

 and extremely thin scales are found. The eyes, which are very 

 small, arc concealed beneath the skin, and sometimes are entirely 



Fig. 295.— two-lined C-tciLiA. 



\':MJf'''' 



wanting. These reptiles inhabit humid and shady places, make 

 holes in the ground, and seem to feed on vegetable substances as well 

 as on worms and small insects ; they are found in South America 

 and in the East Indies. Gills are said to have been discovered in 

 a young specimen, but no trace of them is to be seen in the adult. 



Amphibia without Gills. 

 Abeaxxhia.* 



A few creatures found in the Southern United 

 States constitute this limited group. They are ex- 

 ceedingly hke Eels ; the body being greatly length- 

 ened, smooth and flexible, and thougli they have 



* o, a, ivWiout; $)dyxi'>, branchia, gilh. 



