Mr. Bell on a new Genus of Scincide. 395 
latter 5—5, whilst Lerista has 2—3. This trivial distinction, had it 
stood alone, would scarcely have warranted me in giving to this animal 
a new generic name, but would rather have called for a revision of the 
characters of the two genera above named. The absence of external 
ears, however, constitutes a character of no inconsiderable importance, 
and, when combined with those above mentioned, and with the more 
elongated and auguiform structure of the body, bears me out in consider- 
ing it as a distinct genus. 
Its affinity to Mr. Gray’s genus Saiphos is probably very close, as it 
agrees with it in the concealment of the ears by the integument, and in 
the absence of femoral pores, and approaches it in the comparatively 
elongated body and small limbs. From this genus however it differs not 
only in the number of the toes, but in the absence of eyelids, 
I have thought it necessary to enter into this rather lengthened detail 
of the affinities and distinctions of this animal as compared with its con- 
geners, not only to shew its actual relation to them, but also to exonerate 
me from the charge of needlessly multiplying genera; a fault which at- 
taches to the Naturalists of the present day, almost as strongly as the 
contrary error formerly did to the strict Linnzans. It has always ap- 
peared to me, that a legitimate reason for the construction of a generic 
character, and a fair claim to generic rank, exist, when we find sucha 
peculiarity of structure as evinces any marked difference in the habits of 
the animal, from those most nearly related to it; and such I believe to 
be the case in the structure of the organs of hearing and of vision in the 
genus Lerista. 
