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Synopsis of the Families. 
Sub-order I. Viperine. Jaws weak; upper toothless, with fangs 
in front; lower toothed. Ventral shields broad, band-like. 
Head large behind ; crown flat, generally covered with scales, 
rarely with shields. Hinder limbs not developed. Eyes lateral. 
Nostrils apical, lateral. 
1. Croratip#. Face with a large pit on each side, placed be- 
tween the eye and the nostril. 
2. Virprrip#. Face without any pit on the cheek. 
Sub-order I. Cotusrine. Jaws strong, both toothed, sometimes with _ 
some fangs in front or grooved teeth behind. Head moderate or 
indistinct ; crown often covered with regular shields. 
Sect. I. Belly covered with narrow, elongate shields or scales, nearly 
resembling those of the back. 
3. Hyprip&. Vent without any spurs like rudimentary feet. 
Nostrils superior, valvular. Eyes superior; pupil round. Tail 
often compressed. Belly covered with narrow shields or with 
scales like those of the back, the central series sometimes 
united together in pairs, forming a narrow 6-sided shield. 
4. Boipz. Vent with spur-like rudimentary feet on each side. 
Eyes and nostrils lateral. Tail conical, generally prehensile. 
Ventral shield narrow, transverse, band-like. 
Sect. II. Belly covered with broad, band-like shields. Vent without 
any spur-like feet. Tail conical, tapering. 
5. CoLtusripz. Nostrils apical, lateral, open. Head generally 
shielded. 
