THE SHELTOPUSICK. 179 



with one great fcalc; the muzzle has three fcales ; the two exterior per- 

 forated, for the noftrils. Teeth very minute j eyes fcarce vifible ; no 

 eye-lids. The feet covered with little fcales in rings ; four toes to each 

 foot, with nails long and hooked. This rennarkable creature's man- 

 ners are unknown ; probably they refemble thofe of the Seps, arjd the 

 Chalcide. 



THE SHELTOPUSICK 



WA S firft difcovered by Dr. Pallas: is found near the Volga, in 

 the fandy deferts of Naryn, and near the Cuman. Prefers long 

 grafs, and fhady vegetation : hides among fhrubs, and flies when ap- 

 proached. Preys on fmall lizards. His head thicker than his body; 

 ihout rounded ; fmall teeth j large noftrils : two moveable eye-lids; and 

 openings for the ears, like lizards. On each fide the body a kind of 

 groove ; at the ends of thefe grooves, near the vent, two very fmail feet, 

 covered with four fcales, dividing into two kinds of toes, flrarpilh. 

 The tail much longer than the body. Total length exceeding three 

 ft^t. Colour nearly uniform, pale yellow. 



Part V. No, 2S. Hh OF 



