

SEPS, OR CIC1GNJL Seps triddciyltu. 



Ancient times to the present day, this harmless little reptile has been held in great dread 

 by the natives of the country wherein it dwells, being considered as a deadly enemy to 

 cattle, biting them at night during their sleep, and filling their veins with corruption. 

 Horses, and especially mares, were thought to be the most frequent sufferers from the bite 

 of this reptile. 



The legs of the Seps are very weak, and set far apart, so that the creature trusts but 

 little to the limbs for its powers of locomotion, and wriggles itself along after the fashion 

 of the snakes. The food of the Seps consists of worms, small snails, slugs, insects, spiders, 

 and similar creatures, its general habits seeming to resemble those of the blindworm. 

 Like the lizard, when the winter approaches, it burrows deeply in the loose soil, and 

 remains hidden until the succeeding spring. 



The teeth of the Seps are small, conical, and simple, and there are no teeth on the 

 palate, which is grooved longitudinally. The eyelids are scaly, and the lower has a 

 transparent disc. The toes are three in number on each foot, and very feeble ; the tail is 

 conical and pointed. The colour of the common Seps is grey, with four longitudinal brown 

 streaks, which, on a closer inspection, are found to consist of a succession of brown dots. 



Two members of the Sepsidse deserve a passing notice before we pass to the next 

 family. The first is the CAPISTEATED SPH^ENOPS (Sphcenops sepsoides). 



This reptile is a native of Northern Africa, but seems to have a rather restricted range, 

 being seldom if ever found out of Egypt. In some parts of that country it is very plentiful, 

 being found in the rice grounds, under hedges, and on the roads where the wheels of passing 

 vehicles have worn deep ruts. Indeed, it appears to have a predilection for ridged ground, 

 over which it passes with considerable speed, and is not to be captured without the exercise 

 of some agility. It is quite harmless, and even when caught, struggles with all its might 

 to escape, but does not attempt to bite the hand that holds it. Like many other 

 reptiles of similar form, it burrows in the ground, but makes its tunnel so near the surface 

 of the ground, and in so horizontal a direction, that the foot of a traveller will often lay 

 open the superficial retreat and render its inmate homeless for a time. 



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