SCINCOIDEA. 179 



superior crest indented as far as half the length of the back, the inferior one to 

 the (anus. The hood of the female does not project so much, and the denti- 

 culations of her 'crest are smaller. From Egypt, Barbary, and even the south 

 of Spain, and India. Six other species are described. 



FAMILY VI. 



SCINCOIDE 



THE Scincoideans are known by their short feet, non-extensible tongue, and 

 the equal scales which cover the body and tail, like tiles. 



SCINCUS, Daudin. 



Four short feet ; the body and tail almost one continued and uniform piece ; 

 no enlargement of the occiput; without crest or dewlap, and covered with 

 uniform, shining scales, arranged like tiles, or those of a carp. Some of them 

 are fusiform ; others, more or less elongated, resemble serpents, the Anguis 

 particularly, to which they are related by several internal affinities, and which 

 they connect with the family of the Iguanida, by an uninterrupted suite of 

 transitions. Their tongue is fleshy, but slightly extensible and emarginate; 

 the jaws every where furnished with small, closely set teeth. In the eye, ear, 

 &c., they bear a greater or less resemblance to the iguanae and lizards ; the 

 feet are furnished with free and unguiculated toes. 



The French Antilles produce several species; the Moluccas and New 

 Holland also produce some species remarkable for their thickness the whole 

 division, however, are badly characterised. 



SEPS, Daudin. 



Seps only differs from Scincus in the more elongated body, which is exactly 

 similar to that of an Anguis, and in the still smaller feet, the two pairs of 

 which are further apart. Their lungs begin to exhibit some inequality. 



BIPES, Lacepede. 



A small genus, only differing from Seps in the entire absence of fore feet, 

 having the scapulae and clavicles concealed beneath the skin, the hind feet 

 alone being visible. There is but a step from it to Anguis. 



CHALCIDES, Daudin. 



Elongated Lizards resembling serpents ; but the scales, instead of being 

 arranged like tiles, are rectangular, forming transverse bands, which do not 

 encroach on each other like those on the tails of ordinary lizards. 



N 2 



