1865.] DR. J. E, GRAY ON THE AMPHISBENIANS., 447 
B. Lateral lines linear, distinct, sunken ; dorsal none, or very tn- 
distinct ; nasal shields not forming part of the upper lip. 
a. Nasal plates large, extending across the muzzle, united by a long 
straight suture, or united into one cross band ; the rostral trian- 
gular, under front edge of nasals; crown with two pairs of 
broad shields. — 
AMPHISBENA. 
Head depressed, broad, and rounded in front ; frontal plates with 
one or two pairs of rather smaller similar plates behind them ; pre- 
anal pores eight. 
* Head depressed, broad ; occiput covered with square shields, like 
the body ; preanal plates numerous. 
], AMPHISBHNA ALBA, Linn. ; Gray, Cat. Tort., &c., B.M. 70. 
Body thick, one-coloured, with only one pair of plates behind the 
frontal plates ; occiput shielded like the body. 
Hab. Brazil. 
Varies in the size and form of the hinder pair of frontal plates ; 
preanal pores eight, often seven. 
There is a specimen in the British Museum sent by Mr. Brandt 
under the name of 4. darwinii. 
2. AMPHISBENA AMERICANA, Schreb. ; Gray, Cat. Tort., &c., 
B. M. 70. 
Body rather thick, black, varied ; two or more pairs of plates 
behind the frontal plates. 
Amphisbena fuliginosa, Linn. 
A. vulgaris, Laur. 
Hab. Tropical America: British Guiana; Berbice; Demerara 
B.M.). 
: The labial shields vary in number and shape’ the shields behind 
the frontal vary in number and size, but they are generally in pairs 
and subsymmetrical. : 
Gervais figures the skull of the species (Ann. Sci. Nat. 1854, xx, 
t. 14. f. 4). 
** Head rounded, narrow ; preanal pores and preanal shields ten 
or twelve. 
3. AMPHISB4&NA PETRI, Dum. et Bib, Erp. Gén. v. 487 ; Gray, 
i.e. 80. 
Hab. Brazils (Mus. Paris). 
*** Fead rounded, narrow, rather produced in front; crown-shields 
large; occipital shields polygonal. Body slender, one-coloured ; 
preanal pores two or four; preanal plates six, middle ones 
elongate. 
