COMMON SKINK. Scincus officimilis. 



Specimens are said to have been found in some portions of Asia, and it seems to he clearly 

 proved to inhabit Syria and several parts of India. 



It is a tolerably active little Lizard, not running fast or far, but contenting itself with 

 hanging about the same locality, and feeling itself more secure on the sandy soil of its 

 native districts, than if wandering at large on the plains. Indeed, unless it is alarmed, or 

 except when it is aroused to short exertions by the presence of its prey, the Skink seldom 

 troubles itself to hurry its pace beyond a slow crawl ; and not even when most startled, 

 does it attempt to seek safety in flight. No sooner does it perceive the approach of danger, 

 than it slips below the sand with such singular speed and adroitness, that those who 

 have witnessed this performance, say that it seems rather to be gliding into some hole 

 already excavated, than to be engaged in the labour of sinking a tunnel for the purpose 

 of aiding its escape. Several travellers have seen the Slunk thus bury itself, and have 

 all carried away the same opinion of its powers. 



If quietly approached, it may often be detected sleeping in the hot sunbeams, lying 

 stretched at length upon the stones or rocks, and so far steeped in slumber, that it may be 

 approached quite closely without taking alarm. 



The name of Officinal Skink has been given to this reptile on account of the high 

 place which it formerly held among the medical profession, and the extreme value which 

 it was thought to possess when dried, pounded, made up neatly into draughts or boluses, 

 and used as a medicine. There is hardly a disease to which the human race is liable, 

 which was not thought curable by the prepared body of this reptile, certainly not the least 

 repulsive of all the disgusting substances which the early physicians delighted to 

 choose from the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdom, to fill their multitudinous boxes 

 and bottles, and to inflict upon their patients. Sometimes a physician would even evince 

 his belief in the efficacy of his medicine by taking it himself, and would swallow, with full 

 belief in its healing powers, the burnt liver of a hysena, the moss from a dead man's skull, 

 the grated flesh of a mummy, or the remains of a pounded lizard, together with many 

 other substances too revolting to mention. 



