THE PYGOPUS. 



57 



Thk first family of this tribe is distinguished by tlie apparent absence of eyelids, those 

 organs being only rudimentary and scarcely visible, so as to give to the eyes a superficiaJ 

 resemblance to those of the serpents. On account of this peculiarity, the reptiles belonging 

 to this family are termed the Gape-eyed Skinks. Their bodies are spindle-shaped, their 

 tongues are scaly, nicked at the tip, their teeth are conical, and their limbs are four in 

 number, and very feeble. 



These creatures are found in various parts of the globe, but Australia seems to be their 

 favorite home. The Pete, or Australian Tiliqua {Crytoblepharii,s houtonii), is a good 

 example of the Gape-eyed Skinks, or Gymnophthalmidje, a long name derived from two 

 Greek words signifying naked-eyed. As its name imports, this reptile is a native of Western 

 Australia, but it is also found in other parts of the world, specimens having been taken 

 in Timor and the Jlauritius. The color of the Pete is olive, sometimes with a wash of 

 bronze, mottled Avith brown, and variegated with little black streaks. Sometimes there is a 

 bright yellow streak on each side. Its eyelid is circular and scaly, and the three upper scales 

 are the largest. 



The next family is well represented by the Pygopus, or New Holland Scheltopusio, 

 a cui'ious reptile that inhabits Australia. 





VY0lOPV&.— I'ygopcui kpidopus. (Two -lliirds uutural sizi-.) 



This creature might easily be mistaken for the snake-like Lizard called the Scheltopusio, 

 which has already been described on page 52, as the two fore-legs are entirely absent, and the 

 hinder pair are veiy small, rudimentary, and set so closely against the body that they would 

 escape a casual glance. They are flattish, covered with scales, and are not even divided into 

 joints or toes, so that they are wholly useless for progression, the Pygopus creeping along after 

 the ordinary fasliion of snakes. 



If the creature be turned on its back, a curious arrangement of scales is seen. Between 

 the bases of the lower limbs, several large, shield -Like scales are seen, and just above them is a row 

 of rather long and arched scales, extending in a semicircular form from one Umb to the other, 

 and looking much like the stones that are set upon the summit of an arched doorway. , Each 

 of these scales is pierced with a circular pore, so that the general effect is very striking. The 

 whole body of this reptile is very long in proportion to its width, and it has altogether a very 

 serj^entine aspect. 



The head of the Pygopus is rather short, and is covered above with some rather large 

 shields, that upon the top of the head being equal to any two others in size. The scales 



Vol. m.— 8. 



