AGAMOID GROUP. 



117 



limbs are represented externally by a scaly flap, which is most developed in the 

 genus to which the figured example belongs; the component bones may be felt 

 more or less distinctly, and the skeleton of the common species shows five toe-bones. 

 The common scale-foot (Pygopus lepidopus), which attains a length of about 

 20 inches, and has a tail twice as long as the head and body, is the typical repre- 

 sentative of the few members of this family. The head is long, pointed at the 

 snout, and scarcely separated from the body, being covered above with large 

 symmetrical shields, and on the sides with small scales. The ear has an oblique 

 oval aperture, and the rudimental immovable eyelids are circular and covered with 

 minute scales. The cylindrical body is slender and of nearly equal thickness 

 throughout, the scales on its upper surface, as in that of the long tail, being keeled. 



\ 



COMMON SCALE-FOOTED LIZARD ( nat. size). 



Larger in males than in females, the limbs have rounded extremities, and are 

 enveloped in overlapping scales. In general colour, this lizard is coppery grey 

 above, sometimes marked with three or five longitudinal rows of blackish dots or 

 elongate spots; the under-parts being marbled grey, with the exception of the. 

 throat, which is white. Found both in Australia and Tasmania, and by no means 

 uncommon in the warmer northern parts of Victoria, this lizard, like its kin, is 

 stated to have habits very similar to those of the blind- worm, although accurate 

 observations on its mode of life are wanting. 



THE AGAMOID LIZARDS. 

 Family AGAMID^. 



The southern and eastern portions of the Old World are the home of a very 

 extensive family of lizards, comprising thirty genera and over two hundred 



