586 CJECILIADJE ; LEPIDOSIREN. 



minute size of their eyes. In their form they present no little 

 resemblance to the Amphisbaenas, which they also resemble in 

 their habits, burrowing like earth-worms in soft ground, in pur- 

 suit of worms and the larvae of insects, which constitute their 

 food. They are usually from one to two feet in length, but 

 sometimes attain three times that size. 



ORDER V. LEPIDOTA. 



534. This last order of the Batrachia also includes only a 

 single family, and this is composed of but three or four species. 

 The best known of these are the Lepidosirens (Fig. 20), which 

 inhabit the fresh waters of South America and Africa ; a fine 

 specimen from the latter continent is now to be seen living at 

 the Crystal Palace at Sydenham. During the dry season these 

 animals bury themselves in the mud, and fall into a torpid state ; 

 they form a regular chamber, which they line with a sort of co- 

 coon, consisting of solidified mucus. 



END OF VOL. i. 



i'RINTKI) BY WILLIAM Ci.OWrS AM' SONS, 8TAM1-OU.U SIKKET 



