464 5. ANNIELLID& 



probably does not occur at lower levels. It has been re- 

 corded from Ralston [New Mexico?] 

 Cope records it from Sonora, Mexico. 



Habits. Specimens were found, in Ramsey and Carr 

 canyons, in the oak belt. They were walking about on the 

 ground, among stones and dead leaves, in the day time, 

 and were very shy. 



Family 5. ANNIELLID^ 



This family, which is confined to California and Lower 

 California, contains a single genus of strongly degraded 

 lizards. The body is cylindrical and snake-like, without 

 strongly-marked neck or tail. There are no external 

 traces of limbs, but a rudimentary pelvis remains. The 

 tongue is thick, with a thinner, smooth, deeply-notched ante- 

 rior portion. The teeth are few, but large and curved. 

 Thin osteodermal plates are present. 



Genus 15. Anniella 



Anniclla GRAY, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 2, Vol. X, 1852, p. 440 

 (type, fulchra). 



The scales are small, smooth, imbricate, and rather soft, 

 the dorsals, laterals, ventrals, and caudals nearly equal- 

 sized. The cars are entirely concealed, and the eyes par- 

 tially so. The tail is very blunt and ends in a round plate. 

 The preanal scales are numerous. The head-plates are 

 few and large. The nasal extends to or almost to the 

 labial margin, the first labial appearing on the lower surface 

 of the lip. 



SYNOPSIS OF SPECIES 



a. Color above drab or silvery gray or yellowish white, 

 with three or more black or brown lines. 



A. pulchra. p. 465. 



