102 



SAUBIANS. 



nating in two pointed lobes. Scales on the back rounded, quin- 

 cuncial, imbricate ; those on the belly similar to those on the 

 back and on the sides. No fold across the throat or along the 

 side ; no femoral or inguinal pores. Tail generally long, rounded, 

 fragile. Eyes and eyelids well developed. Nostrils in a separate 

 plate, between the frontal and labial shields. Generally four 

 limbs, moderately developed, sometimes feeble or hidden below 

 the skin. The species of this family are exceedingly numerous, and 

 inhabit almost every part of the tropical regions, some extending 



Fig. 25. Seps tridactylus. 



into the temperate zones. They are thoroughly land Lizards, 

 preferring dry ground, and hiding themselves in the sand, under 

 stones, fallen leaves, &c., very few of them entering the water. They 

 do not attain to any considerable size, only a few species of 

 Australia and the West Indies growing to the thickness of a 

 man's wrist, and exceeding a foot in length. Some of them are 

 viviparous, others deposit from eight to twelve globular eggs. 

 Dr. Gray divides them into the sub-families of Sdncina, or those 

 which have the scales thin, smooth, and neither striated nor 

 keeled ; the nostrils in a single smooth plate, without any lunate 

 groove behind ; and the tail round, tapering, unarmed ; and 

 Tropidophorina, or those which have the scales thick, bony, 

 rugous, striated, and with one or more keels upon each of them ; 



