2506 



SCALED REPTILES 



more or less conical teeth, the scheltopusiks are distinguished by their moderately 

 elongated snake-like form, and the absence of functional limbs; the European 

 species alone having the hinder pair represented by minute rudiments on the sides 

 of the vent. These creatures are covered with squared scales, arranged in straight 

 longitudinal and transverse series; and they are furnished with teeth on the 

 pterygoids, and in certain cases on some of the other bones of the palate. The 

 European species, whi9h, in addition to rudiments of hind-limbs, is distinguished by 

 an aperture to the ear, attains a length of rather more than a yard, of which 

 about two-thirds are occupied by the tail. The arrangement of the shields on 

 the head is very much the same as in the blindworm; and the general color is 



THE BLINDWORM. 



(Three-fifths natural size.) 



brown, becoming lighter on the lower surface. The young are, however, olive 

 gray, with wavy dark brown cross bands on the back, and bars on the sides of the 

 head. Dwelling among the dense underwood of thickly-wooded valleys, the 

 scheltopusik harmonizes so closely in color with its surroundings, that it can only 

 with difficulty be detected, as it glides away among the dead leaves and sticks at 

 the approach of a footstep. Although as free from venom as ordinary lizards, it is 

 frequently mistaken for a snake, and then meets the fate which so often, under 

 similar circumstances, befalls the blindworm. Preying largely upon mice and 

 voles, and not even hesitating to attack and kill the deadly viper, the scheltopusik 

 is, however, a fierce and active creature, gliding swiftly and suddenly upon its 

 victims among the moss and leaves of the woods. It also subsists largely upon 



