OPHIDIA. APHOLIDOTA. 59 



FAM. III. APHOLIDOTA.* 



Ctecilia.-f 



This single genus, the only one of the family, 

 is another of those singular forms which, while they 

 puzzle the naturalist, at the same time delight him 

 by showing the connexion between widely differing 

 animals. A Serpent has little resemblance to a 

 Frog ; yet here is a genus of animals about which 

 naturalists are divided as to its relationship, some 

 choosing to place it with the one, and some with 

 the other. 



These animals have the lengthened form of the 

 Serpents, but the skin is quite destitute of external 

 scales ; these are, however, found on dissection im- 

 bedded in the skin. Outwardly it is soft and gluti- 

 nous, but furrowed by a great number of wrinkles 

 that go round the body. The ribs are very short, 

 the joints of the spine formed and connected as in 

 Fishes. There can scarcely be said to be any tail, 

 as the vent is at the extremity of the body. Many 

 other details of their anatomy shew a structure 

 equally singular. 



Of the manners or habits of the Caecilia we know- 

 nothing ; the C. Annulata, a native of Brazil, is 

 said to live in marshes many feet below the surface ; 

 vegetable substances and earth have been found in 

 their stomachs. 



* A, without, and <pA/?, pholis., a scale. f Caecus, blind. 



