4^6 LOWER VERTEBRATES. 



favorites. All f/ii/noso))ias are viviparous, the female giving birth to seven or eiglit 

 young at a time. 



The Xenosaueid.s: is an intermediate group between the Iguanida; and the Angui- 

 dae. JTenosauriis grandis is of about ten inches in length. The head and legs are 

 covered with close, rounded, smooth tubercles, which on the tail are arranged in regu- 

 lar rings. On the under side, the scutellation is made up of smooth and rather elon- 

 gated scales, which diminish in size posteriorly. Thus far it has only been captured in 

 Mexico and is probably of nocturnal habits. 



The family Zoxurid^ as now defined contains only three genera, Zoniirus, Platy- 

 saurus .and Chamcesmira, all of which are South African, and resemble each other in 

 having the tongue simple, as weU as in several osteological particulars. 



Zomirus microhpidotus is represented by several local varieties, all of which prefer 

 the more rocky localities, perpendicular precipices being the favorite haunts of some. 

 They wander about on the narrow shelves in search of insects, or of some particularly 

 warm niche, where they can doze in the sun's rays unmolested. On being disturbed, 

 concealment is quickly found under some rock or in a narrow crevice, where, aided by 

 the prominences on the hinder edge of each temple, they so secure themselves as to 

 make it almost impossible to extricate them. Z. griseus is also a very abundant fonn, 

 and is widely distributed over southern Africa, where there is scarcely a stony knoll 

 or rocky retreat which does not afford habitation for one or more. The colors of the 

 individuals v.ary exceedingly, no two being similarly ornamented. 



Plati/saurus has the tail but poorly armed, and in general appearance is much 

 more elegant than the previous genera, which, however, it agrees with in its choice of 

 habitat, and in retreating, on being disturbed, into crevices and under stones, where it 

 is enabled, by its long, hooked claws, to retain a powerful hold. Its food is chiefly 

 composed of insects. 



CliamceBuura anguina has an elongated, angular body, covered with lengthened 

 scales and ornamented with longitudinal bands. Though provided with limbs, they 

 are of a most rudimentary character, being extremely small, and, instead of having 

 digits, each ends in a simple point. They are of no use in progression, and are simply 

 organs atrophied by disuse. C. cmguinea is found in the more moist localities among 

 grass or stones, and in the vicinity of water. Though without feet, it is, by assuming 

 a serpentine movement, able to progi-ess with great rapidity. 



The AxGUiDjE includes a number of both Old and New World lizards, which are 

 characterized by several peculiarities of the bony framework, as well as in having the 

 anterior portion of the tongue retractile. 



The genus Anguis lias the body greatly elongated, serpentine, and terminated by 

 a lengthened tail. No appendages are present, and the shoulder-girdle, sternum, and 

 pelvis are rudimentary. The eyes are provided with movable lids and the ears are 

 concealed by the overlying skin. A. Jragilis, the orvet or blind worm, inhabits 

 Europe and a portion of Asia, and was considered by Cuvier to be a serpent, so 

 much like these reptiles is it in its general appearance. In England it is very abun- 

 dantly found in the more retired localities, where it can pursue its prey unmolested, 

 though it is occasionally seen along the roadside, where its bright glossy body and 

 shining black eyes at once attract attention. From a popular mistaken notion, the 

 harmless animal is seldom made a pet of, it Vjeing considered poisonous. It has, how- 

 ever, proved to be an extremely interesting animal in captivity, though it is only with 

 the exercise of considerable patience, that it can be made to accustom itself to its 



