602 REPTILES. 



scales of an oblong or rounded shape ; tongue flesbf, somewhat extensible, 

 and slightly cleft at tip ; jaws provided with small close-set teeth, and two 

 rows in the palate ; toes free, without nails. 



Scincics occidtms. — The Galley- Wasp. Plate Ixiv. fig. 3. Body pale ferru. 

 ginous, with wliite transverse fillets ; tail short; molar teeth rounded, and 

 two small lobes before the tympantun. Fifteen inches long. Inhabits 

 Jamaica. 



Genus 25.— SEPS.— Daurfzn. 



Generic Character.— Body, neck, and tail, cylindrical and much elongated ; 

 covered with rounded elliptical scales ; tongue short, slightly cleft at the 

 point ; feet small, the anterior and posterior ones far apart ; toes varying 

 from three to five. 



Genw 25.— BITES.— Lacepede. 



Generic Character. — Destitute of fore-feet; the scapulars and clavicles 

 being concealed under the skin ; feet slightly divided in some species, and 

 completely attached in others. 



Gemis 27.— CHALCIDES.— Dm<r?j«. 



Generic Character. — Head somewhat obtuse; no distinct neck; body 

 greatly elongated ; four short feet, furnished with from one to three toes ; 

 scales not imbricated, but arranged iu transverse bands. 



Genus 28.— CHIROTES.— Cjwfer. 

 Generic Character. — With fore-feet only ; head obtuse ; no distinct neck ; 

 body greatly elongated ; with from one to five toes on the feet. 



ORDER III.— OPHIDIA. 



Heart with two auricles ; body greatly elongated, cylindrical, and desti- 

 tute of feet : for the most part covered with scales. 



TRIBE I.— ANGUINES. 



Teeth small, nearly of equal length ; tongue witli a luniform notch ; riba 

 united in a greater or smaller degree so as to supply the place of a sternum, 

 or breast-bone ; eyes provided with tliree eyelids. 



Genus 1.— OPHISAURUS.— Dawfitn. 



Generic Charncter. — With an external visible tympanum ; maxillary teeth 

 conical ; palate provided with two small groups of teeth. 



Genus 2.— ANGUIS.— Cwnier. 



Generic Character. — Tympanum hid under the skin; maxillary teeth 

 compressed and hooked ; palate destitute of teeth. 



Anguis Jragilis. — The blind Worm. Plate Ixiv. fig. 4. Yellow above, 

 with metallic reflections; dusky below, scales smooth and shining; back 

 with three longitudinal dorsal linos, which change into spots by age, and al- 

 ternately disappear ; tail longer than the body. 



