504 Reptiles. 



American reptiles, which are of a harmless nature, being 

 destitute of those fangs which prepare the venom in 

 poisonous serpents. It is indeed doubtful whether the 

 Amphisbsenas are really snakes, and by many naturalists 

 they are arranged amongst the lizards, although they 

 have no limbs. The head is so small, and the tail so thick 

 and short, that at first sight it is difficult to distinguish 

 one from the other ; and this circumstance, united to the 

 animal's habit of proceeding either backwards or forwards 

 as occasion may require, gave rise to the supposition 

 throughout the native regions of the Arnphisbsena, that 

 it had two heads, one at each extremity, and that it was 

 impossible to destroy one by simple cutting, as the two 

 heads would mutually seek one another and reunite ! 

 The colour of the commonest species is a deep brown 

 varied with patches of white. The body is ornamented 

 by more than two hundred rings, and the tail by 

 about twenty-five. The eyes are almost concealed by 

 a thick membrane, and this, together with their small 

 size, has given rise to the idea that the Amphisbasna is 

 blind. It grows to the length of eighteen inches or two 

 feet. Its food consists of worms and insects, and espe- 

 cially ants, in the mounds of which it generally con- 

 ceals itself. The ancients gave the name of Amphisbasna 

 to what they considered a two-headed serpent ; but it 

 is not known with certainty which of the serpent tribe 

 they meant, as their Amphisbasna is described by Lucan 

 as venomous, though in his lines elegance of language, 

 beauty of versification, and liveliness of fancy, have 

 perhaps a greater claim than truth to the admiration of 

 the reader : 



" With hissings fierce, dire Amphisbsenas rear 

 Their double heads, and rouse the soldier's fear. 

 Eager he flies : more eager they pursue ; 

 On every side the onset quick renew ! 

 With equal swiftness face or shun the prey, 

 And follow fast when thought to run away. 

 Thus on the looms the busy shuttles glide, 

 Alternate fly, end shoot at either side." 



