266 ANGtriD^. 



are imbricate and subequal; these plates are provided with a system 

 of fine tubercles, as in the Scincidce, which differ from those of the 

 latter family in being arranged irregularly, or forming radiating or 

 arborescent figures. The head-shields present this peculiaritj-, that 

 an occipital or azygos posterior shield is constantly present, a 

 character which differentiates the Anguidce from most of the 

 iScincidce. 



These Lizards are terrestrial. Anc/uis is ovoviviparons. They 

 are most abundantly represented in Central America (Oerrhonotus) 

 and the West Indies {Diphglossus) ; a few species occur in North 

 and South America, two in Europe and the borders of the Mediter- 

 ranean, and one in the Himalayas and Burma. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



I. A lateral fold. 



Limbs four, pentadactyle 1. Gerrhonotus, p. 266. 



Limbs absent, or the hiud pair rudimentary externally. 



2. Ophisaurus, p. 279. 



II. ISTo lateral fold. 



Limbs four, pentadactyle 3. Diploglossus, p. 284. 



Limbs four, tetradactyle 4. Sauresia, p. 294. 



\ Limbs four, mono- or didactyle 5. Panolopus, p. 295. 



External rudiments of the hind limbs only ; lateral teeth conical. 



6. OpModes, p. 296. 



No trace of limbs externally ; lateral teeth fang-like. 



7. Anguis, p. 297. 



1. GERRHONOTUS. 



Gerrhonotus, Wiegm. Isis, 1828, p. 379, aiid Herp. Mex. p. 29; 



Wac/l. Si/st. Amph. p. 158; JDian. &- Bihr. v, p. 394; Gray, 



Cat. Liz. p. 53 ; Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. xvii. 1877, p. 96 ; 



Bocourt, Miss. Sc. J/e.r., Bept. p. 317. 

 Pterogasterus, Pea/e 4' Green, Journ, Ac. Philad. ti. 1830, p. 234; 



Cope, I. c. 

 Abronia, Gray, Ann. N. H. i. 1838, p. 389, and Cat. Liz. p. 53. 

 Elgaria, Gray, II. cc. p. 390, 54. 

 Barissia, Gray, U. cc. ; Cope, I. c. p. 97. 



Tropidolepis {non Cuv.), Skilton, Am. Journ. Set. (2) vii. 1849, p. 202. 

 Mesaspis, Cope, I. c. p. 96. 



A lateral fold. Scales squarish or rhomboidal, forming trans- 

 verse series. Limbs well developed, pentadactyle. Teeth conical. 

 Pterygoid teeth present or absent. 



Western and Southern North America ; Central America. 



