58 THE COMMON BRINK. 



Did a warrior receive a wound from a poisoned arrow, or was a woodman bitten by a 

 venomous snake, there was nothing so effectual for the cure as the dried flesh of the Skink, 

 sometimes called El Adda, and sometimes known by the name of Dhab. He who provided 

 himself with this all-powerful medicine was secure against fits of all kinds, which never 

 attacked the system fortified by a dose of powdered Skink, or were speedily driven away if 

 the sufferer had not previously partaken of this panacea. All skin diseases were cured by 

 the Skink, and even the fearful elephantiasis yielded to its potent sway. 



Were the system too inexcitable and lethargic, and did the blood course too slowly 

 through the veins, a little Skink powder would restore the natural powers to their full 

 vigour. Or, on the contrary, if the patient happened to be feverish, restless, with a 

 burning forehead, a parched skin, and a hurried pulse, a dose of the same useful medicine 

 would cool the system, cure the headache, and bring the pulse to its normal state. It is 

 an infallible remedy for worms, eradicates cancer, and removes cataract. In fine, a satis- 

 factory estimate of its valuable properties may be gained by perusing, in the daily 

 journals, any advertisement of any patent medicine, together with the list of maladies for 

 which it is a certain remedy. 



Even in the present day, this medicine is in great vogue among the sages of the East. 

 Should the reader happen to travel into eastern lands, and fall sick of a fever, be afflicted 

 with a sunstroke, find himself suddenly smarting with a nettle-rash, catch a cold, or suffer 

 from sand-blindness, the remedy which will, in all probability, be offered to him, will 

 consist of this universal panacea. In the time of the ancients, the Skink was in much 

 favour as a medicine, and was imported largely to Rome, ready prepared in white wine. 

 The heads and feet were considered the most efficient portions of the animal, and 

 were relied upon as infallible renovators of a constitution broken by age, or shattered 

 by excess. 



Wherever modern civilization has most penetrated, the Skink has, happily for itself, 

 fallen greatly in medical estimation, and in some places is entirely rejected from the 

 pharmacopeia ; though there are not wanting some European physicians who assert that 

 the creature really does possess some valuable properties, but that it has fallen into 

 disrepute through the over-estimate which had been formed of its powers, and which 

 naturally created a reaction in the opposite direction. 



In Southern Egypt it still commands the firm belief of the people, and is hunted down 

 with the greatest zeal, as it not only can be applied to the personal ailings of the captors, 

 but can be quickly dried in the burning sunbeams, and sent to Cairo and Alexandria, 

 where it commands a ready sale. 



In its habits, this Skink much resembles the generality of terrestrial Lizards of its size 

 and locality. As it seeks for safety below the sand, it is generally to be seen upon the 

 hillocks of fine loose sand which are collected by the south wind, at the foot of any tree 

 which may manage to survive in so ungenial a soil, or are blown against the hedges of 

 the more cultivated land. It generally lies quietly upon the sand, but occasionally starts 

 into vigorous action when it perceives an insect passing within easy reach, makes a 

 sudden rush, captures its prey, and subsides again into its former inactive repose. Beetles 

 are its favourite food, and of these insects it will eat a considerable quantity, but can 

 preserve life for a lengthened period without taking any food at all. 



Should it be disturbed, it instantly sinks below the sand, with almost magical quick- 

 ness ; and according to M. Lefebvre, who collected a great number of these Lizards in the 

 year 1828, a few seconds suffice it for constructing and retiring into a burrow several feet 

 in depth. Although armed with tolerably strong teeth and claws, it does not attempt to 

 bite when captured, and any scratch inflicted on the hand of the captor is merely caused 

 by its struggles while endeavouring to effect its escape. 



The general colour of the Officinal Skink is reddish dun, crossed with bands of a 

 darker hue above. Below and upon both the flanks, it is of a silvery whiteness. It is, 

 however, liable to considerable variations, of which the most important may be briefly 

 denoted as follows : In one variety, the upper parts are yellow, or silver-grey, with seven or 

 eight large brown spots on the sides. In another, the head is yellow, the upper parts are 

 chestnut-brown, profusely sprinkled with little white spots, each scale having two, or even 



