SCINCin.B. 



SCINCID.E. 



ficinciu. Fitting. 



ilu, the Common Skiuk. Messrs. Dumenl nd Bibron 

 that thii species includes three varieties, which are very 

 distinct in the colouring of their upper part* ; for in all eaten the 

 lower and lateral region*, that if to say, the cheeks, the tide* of the 

 neck, thoM of the tail, ai well ai the sides, and very often the limbs, 

 are of a silvery-white, more or IBM pure. 



o. Oeneral colour of the neck, back, and tail, yellow, or clear 

 silvery-gray, mixed with brown or blackish, which form* great spots 

 dilated transversely, mort frequently putting on the shape of trans- 

 Terse bands, the number of which is commonly seven or eight. 



6. A yellow tint spread over the surface of the cranium. Keck, 

 back, and a great part of the tail, chestnut-brown, sprinkled with very 

 small obscure whitish spots, two or three on each scale. Across the 

 back fire or six Urge white bands, with an irregularly dilated black 

 spot at each of their extremities. These spot* are not situated on the 

 back, but on the moat elevated part of the lateral regions of the trunk. 



c. All the scales of the neck, back, and first half of the upper 

 surface of the tail, silvery-gray, widely radiated with white, with one 

 or two brown spots on the posterior border of the radiations. 



This specie* appears to be peculiar to Africa, inhabiting the western 

 and northern parts, but particularly the Utter. Bruce met with it in 

 Syria and in Abyssinia. M. Riippell observed it in the lost country, 

 and many travellers have seen it in Egypt, whence the greater portion 

 of specimens with which collections are furnished are sent. It is at 

 present rather common in Upper and Middle Kgypt, and it appears 

 from Belon and Rondeletius that it was there found abundantly in 

 the 16th century, when it still was an object of commerce. In truth 

 it was one of the most approved remedies in the ancient Pharmaco- 

 poeias, and was considered a sort of universal medicine, a specific 

 against all kinds of maladies. Pliny (' Nat Hist.,' xxviii. 8) proclaims 

 the medicinal and renovating powers of the Scincui, and quotes 

 Apelles for its efficacy against wounds inflicted by poisoned arrows. 



The better opinion seems to be that this is the 2x17x01 of Diosco- 

 rides and the Scinetu of Pliny ; and though the descriptions given by 

 the ancient* are not sufficiently accurate to enable us to pronounce 

 positively on it* identity, enough remains in tracing its history down- 

 wards to render it highly probable that such is the fact. 



Scineiu oJKcinalii. Fire-ninths of natural Ue. 

 a, fore foot, wen from above. 



fykenopt, Wagler. 



& eaputmtta. Colour ferruginous-gray, more or less yellow, or 

 brownish on the upper part*. From 9 to 18 longitudinal stripes com- 

 posed of so many successions of black point* placed on the lateral 

 border* of the scale*. The** stripes, which spring on the occiput and 

 the posterior region of the temples, run along the neck, the back, and 

 the tail throughout its whole length, or nearly so. The upper surface 

 of the limbs present* also generally rows of black points. The scales 

 are also fringed with brown. On the side* of the head is a small 

 black band commencing at the nostril, passing upon the eye, traversing 

 the temple, and losing lUelf upon the neck. The lower parts of the 

 animal are white. 



Head of Spltnnpi capitlrattu. 



This specie* is widely spread in Egypt, the only country known to 

 Hems. Burner!! and Bibron where it has yet been found. M. Ruppell 

 and M. A. Lefebvr* sent specimens the last-named traveller the most 



abundantly to France, and M. Lefebvre informed Messrs. Dumenl 

 and Bibron that it was very common in the oasis of Bahrieh, at 

 Zabou. Qasr, and Bahoueit. He brought homo more than a hundred 

 individuals which he captured himself. Both M. Lefebvre and 

 Cocteau state that the animal only burrows to a small depth, for the 

 slightest disturbance made by the feet of the passer-by discovers its 

 retreat. 



Dtploglottut, Wiegm. (Cclattu, part, Tiliqua, part, Gray). 



D. Sagne. Form resembling that of &pj in the Blenderneai of the 

 body, the length of the tail, and the shortness of the limbs ; colour 

 brown-ash, with metallic reflections on the upper part* of the head, 

 trunk, tail, and limbs, more or less deep in different individuals ; on 

 each aide of the body a black band which springs on the frenal region 

 l>asses on the eye and temple, extends the whole length of the side, 

 and low* itself on the side of the tail, at come distance from its origin ; 

 the labial plates are yellowish, bordered with black, and the lower 

 regions have also a yellowish tint, but with silvery reflections. 



It is a native of Cuba, where it lives on land in cool places and 

 light and humid lands. It is very quick in iU motions. 



Head of Diplaglouui Sayra. Month open to chow the tongue. 



(iongylut, Dnm. and Bibron. 



O. occttattti. The form of this species is heavy and stout, and it 

 varies greatly in colour. Messrs. Dumdril and Bibron record five 

 varieties. 



It is the f<cineu! ocellattu of authors; Tiliijua ocdlata, and Ladpede'a 

 Qalleywasp of Gray. 



This species is spread over the whole of the shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean ; but it is in Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Cyprus, and Kgypt that 

 it is especially found. Messrs. Quoy and Qaimard captured a specimen 

 in the Isle of Teneriffe, and it is said to have been found in tho 

 south of France; but Messrs. Dumdril and Bibron are not sure 

 of this. 



Dry and slightly elevated spots are chosen by this Skiok, and there 

 it hides itself in the sand or under stones. Its food consists of small 

 insects, which it seizes after the manner of the true Lizards. It suffers 

 itself to be caught without defending itself; and though it* move- 

 ments are not so rapid as those of the Lizards, it possesses more 

 agility than its form would lead one to expect 



(lotifylut oftllatiu. Fire-ninth* of natural size. 



Sept, Daudin (Zynii, Oken, Fitzing., Wiegm. 



S chalcidti, Bonap. Form slender and serpentine. Messrs 

 Dumdril and Bibron enumerate six varieties. In all of them the 

 lower parts are more or leas grayish or whitish. 



Srfi chalcidn. 



