5 8 THE COMMON SKINK. 



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 

 vigor. 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 satisfactory 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 favor 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 sud- 

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

 are its favorite 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 endeavoring to effect its escape. 



The general color 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-gray, 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, 



