ABRANCHIA. 



365 



The body of these creatures is very nearly cylindrical, 

 is smooth, and transversely furrowed by annular wrinkle 



Their skin 

 wrinkles. At first 



sight it appears to be completely naked ; but, on dissection, small 

 and extremely thin scales arr found. The eyes, which are very 

 small, are concealed beneath the skin, and sometimes are entirely 



FlG. 295. TWO-LINED CECILIA. 



wanting. These reptiles inhabit humid and shady places, make 

 holes in the ground, and seem to feed on vegetable substances as well 

 as on worms and small insects ; they are found in South America 

 and in the East Indies. Gills are said to have been discovered in 

 a young specimen, but no trace of them is to be seen in the adult. 



AMPHIBIA WITHOUT GILLS. 

 ABRANCHIA.* 



A few creatures found in the Southern United 

 States constitute this limited group. They are ex- 

 ceedingly like Eels ; the body being greatly length- 

 ened, smooth and flexible, and though they have 



* a, a, without; ftdyxw* branchia, gills. 



