SAURIA. 41 



Scincus, the Scink.* 



In the smooth rounded body, the short feet, the 

 small equal scales, we see in all the Scinks an ap- 

 proximation to the serpent-form ; and in the lower 

 genera, the characters, as we shall see, become so 

 modified, that the line of distinction between these 

 Orders cannot be drawn. 



The Common Scink (S. Officinalis) was formerly 

 in high esteem for its supposed medicinal virtues, 

 which were represented as ridiculously various. Mo- 

 dern science, however, has thrown it into disrepute. 

 It inhabits the north of Africa, is about eight inches 

 long, of a silvery yellow, with darker bands. There 

 is little that is interesting in its manners, except 

 the extreme facility with which it burrows in the 

 sand, when disturbed. 



In the genus Seps,^ the body is still more length- 

 ened, and the feet smaller and removed farther 

 apart. In Bipes,^ the fore limbs are not visible, 

 though there are shoulder-blades concealed within 

 the skin; the hind feet are exceedingly short, and 

 are without claws. Finally in Chirotes, the hind- 

 feet are lost, while the fore ones, small and rudimen- 

 tary, are visible. Other points in the anatomy of 

 these Reptiles shew the same gradual transition to 

 the Serpents. 



* The ancient Greek name of some lizard. 



t The Latin name of a venomous worm. 



J Bis, twice, pes, a foot. x/j, eteir, a hand. 



