REPTILIA. 273 



reptile, has the anterior feet ^vithout toes, the posterior with two each. This 

 case is exactly reversed in the genus Brachymelcs^ where the anterior feet 

 have two toes, the posterior none. In the Australian Chelomeles, each foot 

 has two toes ; while Heteromeles (from Algiers) has two toes on the fore, and 

 three on the hind feet. Seps, represented hy a single species, >S'. chalcides 

 {pi. 87, Jig. 6), a native of Southern Europe, exhibits three toes on each, 

 rather Aveak, foot. In Tetradactylus we find four toes on each foot ; 

 in Campsodactylns, five toes in front, and four behind ; and in Heteropns. 

 four in front, and five behind. Finally, Tracliysaurus and Gongyhis 

 have five toes to each foot. The above illustrations, far from em- 

 bracing the whole of the iScvicidce, may serve as an indication of the 

 great variety of structure and appearance, presented by this extensive 

 family. 



To us, the most interesting genera of Saurophthalmian scinks are Plestio- 

 don and Lygosoma, these being the only ones which are found in the United 

 States. The species, of various size, are known in the Southern States, indis- 

 criminately, as scorpions, and dreaded as venomous. They are, however, 

 like all reptiles, excepting a few serpents, perfectly free from any such 

 properties, although the larger individuals may be capable of inflicting a 

 severe bite. Only one species, Plestiodon fasciattts, is found in the North, 

 the rest rarely occurring north of Maryland. The largest species, P. ameri- 

 canns, sometimes attains a length of 25 inches. The smaller species are usually 

 found about old logs, their food consisting of minute insects. Plestiodon 

 cddrovcmdii, an Egyptian species, is represented in pi. 81, Jig. 31. The 

 genus )Sci7icus, as at present restricted, embraces but a single species, S. 

 officinalis {pi. 89, Jig. 4). This animal, a native of Northern Africa, has 

 been celebrated from the time of Pliny, for certain supposed medicinal virtues, 

 for which reason it was Ions considered as one of the most valuable articles of 

 the pharmacopoeia, and even now is kept by the druggists of Southern Europe. 

 It was supposed to be eff"ectual in all eruptive diseases, but the chief applica- 

 tion was as an aphrodisiac. Gongyhis ocellatus {pi. "J^i^Jig. 71) is a common 

 European reptile. 



The second sub-family of ScincidcB is that of the Ophiophthalmoi, in which 

 the eyes, like those of serpents, are either entirely deprived of eyelids, or 

 else have these in the form of a narrow^ ring, partly or entirely surrounding 

 the eye. Two of the species exhibit a series of pores along the anterior 

 margin of the cloaca ; none, however, have femoral pores. Most of the species 

 are natives of New Holland. The genus Hysteropiis, with a highly ser- 

 pentiform body, is without fore-feet, the posterior being very feeble, and 

 flattened, without any division into fingers. {H. nov(s hoUandicB is repre- 

 sented in pi. 74, Jig. 68.) Other genera have four feet, variously provided 

 with toes. 



The third and last sub-family, the Typhlophthalmoi., comprises species 

 which are perfectly blind, having the eyes so minute as to be entirely rudi- 

 mentary. There are but two species known, one, Dibamits Jiovce-guinecc, with 

 posterior remiform feet, the other, Typhline cuvierii, an inhabitant of South 

 Africa, without any feet whatever. 



4YV 



