1 24 OPHIOMORPHA. 



Muzzle pitted, (a) 



Muzzle not pitted Rhinatrema. (4) 



a. Pit before each eye. (b) 



a. Pit under each nostril Cecilia, (i) 



b. Rings on the body broad Siphonops. (2) 



b. Rings narrow Epicrium. (3^ 



The matter of a pitted muzzle seems to the writer in- 

 sufficient to constitute generic distinctions, and were he 

 to follow his own inclinations but one genus would be 

 given under this family. It looks very much as ii nature 

 had only made one, and man had devised the other three. 

 But since these terms have come into general use, and as 

 our knowledge of these animals is very incomplete ; and 

 since it is a source of great confusion to vary from estab- 

 lished names, it has been deemed best to retain the four 

 genera. 



1. Csecilia, Wagler. 



J^ossa two, one belovj each nostril; eyes distinct or in- 

 distinct; body and head cylindrical; muzzle projecting; 

 tongue velvety or cellular, and usually supplied with two 

 narial valvules. 



