364 REPTILES. OPHIDIA. 



V. BeruSj Cuv. The Common Viper. Brown, with a black zigzag 

 line along the back, and a row of black spots on each side ; belly 

 slate-coloured. 2 to 3 feet long. Europe. B Shaw, iii. pi. 101. 

 The Viper or Adder, as it is called in Scotland, is pretty generally diffused over all 

 the old continent. It is plentiful in some counties of England, and abounds in 

 several of the Hebrides. The viper grows to the length of two feet, and sometimes 

 more. The ground colour of the body is a dirty yellow, and along the back runs a 

 chain of irregular black spots joined at the points. This is the only poisonous Brit- 

 ish species ; but olive oil is said to be a certain remedy for the bite, if speedily ap- 

 plied. Viper's flesh is still used medicinally in some countries. 



V. ammodytes, Cuv. (Col. aspis, Gmel.) Body glaucous brown, 

 with dentated black dorsal band, and upright nasal wart. Inha- 

 bits Southern Europe. Shaw, iii, 379. 



V. cerastes, Cuv. Body pale yellowish or grayish, with distant 

 subovate transverse brown spots ; a pointed and solid horn on each 

 eyelid. 1 to 2 feet long. Inhabits Egypt. Shaw, iii. pi. 103. 



V. Cherscea, (Col. Cherscea, Lin. C. berus, Daudin.) Body subfer- 

 ruginous, with black flexuous dorsal band ; three larger plates on 

 the middle of the head. About a foot long. Inhabits Northern 

 Europe. Shaw, iii. 382. 



The variety of a black colour has been named the Black Viper. (CoL prester, Lin.) 

 V. hcemachates, Cuv. (Col. hcemachates, Gmel.) Body brownish- 

 red, marbled with white ; abdomen yellowish-white ; head co- 

 vered with plates. 2 feet long. Inhabits Persia and India. 

 Shaw, iii. 425. 



FAMILY III. NAKED SERPENTS. 



This division comprehends but one very singular genus, which many naturalists 

 seem inclined to refer to the Batrachians. 



Gen. 30. CECILIA, Lin. 



Body cylindrical ; skin naked, with longitudinal folds ; eyes ex- 

 tremely small. 



This genus is thus named, because its eyes are excessively small, and nearly con- 

 cealed under the skin. Smooth, viscid, and naked as the eels, when the skin is dried 

 the vestiges of scales are scarcely perceived ; but transverse folds are seen on the sides. 

 The head is depressed, and the anus round and near the extremity of the body. 

 The articulation of the vertebrae is accomplished by the faces of a hollow cone filled 

 by a gelatinous cartilage, as in the fishes ; and the cranium is united to the first ver- 

 tebra by two tubercles, as in the Batrachian reptiles. The maxillary bones cover 

 the orbit, which is pierced with a very small hole, and those of the temples cover 

 the temporal depression, in such a manner that the head presents above a conti- 

 nuous bony shield. The maxillary and palate teeth, pointed and curved backwards, 

 resemble those of the serpents, properly so called ; but their lower jaw has no move- 

 able pedicle. They deposit their eggs, with a semi-membranous skin, united in long 

 strings. 



C. glutinosa, Lin. Brown, with a white line on each side ; wrinkles 

 very close and numerous. About a foot long. Inhabits S. Ame- 

 rica. Shaw, iii. pi. 137- 



C. tentacidata, Lin. Body above bluish brown, abdomen paler ; two 

 tentacula on the upper lip. A foot long. Inhabits S. America. 

 Shatv, iii. pi. 136. 



