Dr. J. E. Gray on the Amphisbtenians. 



373 



I have not been able to examine this genus, which was described 

 by Mr. Bell from a specimen brought from South America by Capt. 

 P. P. King, 11. N.; it is described in more detail by MM. Dumeril 

 and Bibron from specimens obtained by Mr. Charles Darwin. 



The existence of the lateral line, which, according to Mr. Bell, "is 

 more distinct than in Amphisbcena, though less so than in Chirotes" 

 and the account of the plates of the head as described by MM. 

 Dumeril and Bibron, show that it must be distinct from the follow- 

 ing, which comes from Africa. 



B. Lateral line none, or only very slightly visible on the hinder 

 part of the body. 



Baikia. 



The head compressed, elevated ; rostral plate very large, com- 

 pressed, forming an arched crest from the mouth to the forehead, 

 with a groove on the hinder part over the nostrils ; crown with two 

 pairs of band-like shields behind the upper edge of the rostral, the 

 front pair narrow; eye-shield very minute ; eye invisible; temples 

 with two small shields ; the upper labial shields 3 — 3 ; the second 

 upper large, produced, keeled on the side ; the hinder, under the 

 temporal shield, larger, square ; lower lip covered with a single large 

 shield on each side, separated by a square inferior rostral shield and 

 by two small gular plates placed one behind the other ; nostrils large, 

 lateral, under the edge of the keel of the frontals. Body and chest 

 covered with rings of similar oblong square shields ; preanal pores 

 2 — 2, separated by a central shield. Tail cylindrical, rather conical 

 at the tip. 



In spirits the skin is loose and inclined to form a fin-like fold, 

 sometimes on one and sometimes on another part of the body, with 

 a central longitudinal ventral groove, without any appearance of a 

 lateral line. 



Baikia africana. 



Ilab. West Africa (Dr. Balfour Baikie). B.M. 



Fig;. 4. 



Baikia africana. 



Fam. 4. Lepidosternid.e. 

 Lepidosternidee, Gray, Cat. Tortoises, &c, B. M. 73, 184-4. 

 Head oblong, depressed, with a short horizontal keel in front ; 



