266 ANGUIDE, 
are imbricate and subequal; these plates are provided with a system 
of fine tubercles, as in the Scincide, which differ from those of the 
latter family in being arranged irregularly, or forming radiating or 
arborescent figures. The head-shields present this peculiarity, that 
an occipital or azygos posterior shield is constantly present, a 
character which differentiates the Anguide from most of the 
Scincide. 
These Lizards are terrestrial. -Anguis is ovoviviparous. They 
are most abundantly represented in Central America (Gerrhonotus) 
and the West Indies (Diploglossus); a few species occur in North 
and South America, two in Europe and the borders of the Mediter- 
ranean, and one in the Himalayas and Burma. 
Synopsis of the Genera. 
I. A lateral fold. 
Limbs four, pentadactyle .......... 1. Gerrhonotus, p. 266. 
Limbs absent, or the hind pair rudimentary externally. 
2. Ophisaurus, p. 279. 
TI. No lateral fold. 
Limbs four, pentadactyle .......... 3. Diploglossus, p. 284. 
Limbs four, tetradactyle............ 4, Sauresia, p. 294. 
_ Limbs four, mono- or didactyle...... 5. Panolopus, p. 295. 
External rudiments of the hind limbs only ; lateral teeth conical. 
6. Ophiodes, p. 296. 
No trace of limbs externally ; lateral teeth fang-like. 
7. Anguis, p. 297. 
1. GERRHONOTUS. 
Gerrhonotus, Wregm. Isis, 1828, p. 3879, and Herp. Mex. p. 29; 
Wagl. Syst. Amph. p. 158; Dum. & Bibr. v. p. 894; Gray, 
Cat. Liz. p. 53; Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. xvii. 1877, p. 96; 
Bocourt, Miss. Se. Mex., Rept. p. 317. 
Pterogasterus, Peale § Green, Journ. Ac. Philad. vi. 1830, p. 284; 
Cope, 1. ¢. 
Abronia, Gray, Ann. N. H. i. 1838, p. 889, and Cat. Liz. p. 58. 
Elgaria, Gray, ll. cc. p. 390, 54. 
Barissia, Gray, ll. cc.; Cope, l. c. p. 97. 
Tropidolepis (non Cav.), Shilton, Am. Journ. Sct. (2) vii. 1849, p. 202. 
Mesaspis, Cope, 1. c. p. 96. 
A lateral fold. Scales squarish or rhomboidal, forming trans- 
verse series. Limbs well developed, pentadactyle. Teeth conical. 
Pterygoid teeth present or absent. 
Western and Southern North America; Central America. 
