g6 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



The Scincidcz have the head covered with shields, which are 

 symmetrically arranged. Tongue slender, free, exsertile, termi- 

 nating in two pointed lobes. Scales on the back rounded, quin- 

 cuncial, imbricate; those on the belly similar to those on the 

 back and on the sides. No fold across the throat or along the 

 side ; no femoral or inguinal pores. Tail generally long, rounded, 

 fragile. Eyes and eyelids well developed. Nostrils in a separate 

 plate, between the frontal and labial shields. Generally four 

 limbs, moderately developed, sometimes feeble or hidden below 

 the skin. The species of this family are exceedingly numerous, and 

 inhabit almost every part of the tropical regions, some extending 

 into the temperate zones. They are thoroughly land lizards, 

 preferring dry ground, and hiding themselves in the sand, under 

 stones, fallen leaves, &c, very few of them entering the water. 

 They do not attain to any considerable size, only a few species of 

 Australia and the West Indies growing to the thickness of a 

 man's wrist, and exceeding a foot in length. Some of them are 

 viviparous, others deposit from eight to twelve globular eggs. 

 Dr. Gray divides them into the sub-families of Sdncina, or those 

 which have the scales thin, smooth, and neither striated nor 

 keeled ; the nostrils in a single smooth plate, without any lunate 

 groove behind ; and the tail round, tapering, unarmed j and 

 Tropidofihorince, or those which have the scales thick, bony, 

 rugous, striated, and with one or more keels upon each of them ; 

 the rostral plate rounded in front, and the body fusiform, with 

 well-developed limbs, which terminate always in the full comple- 

 ment of toes. A few species of the Scincince have no external 

 limbs, thus approximating in their appearance to certain of the 

 burrowing Ophidians.] 



The Orvet, or Blind- worm (Anguis fragilis, Fig. 25), is small, 

 cylindrical in shape, about eleven or twelve inches in length, and 

 having the exterior appearance of Snakes. The scales which cover 

 the body are small, smooth, and shining, being red in the middle, 

 and edged with white, of a silvery yellow on the upper part, and 

 dusky beneath ; the sides somewhat dusky brown, and the throat 

 slightly marbled with white, black, and yellow. Two larger spots 

 appear, one above the muzzle, the other upon the back of the head ; 

 from this point two blackish longitudinal rays start, which extend to 

 the tail, as well as two other nut-brown rays, which start from the 

 eyes, the markings vary, however, in different countries, and probably 

 with age and sex. 



The Blind-worm is found in woods, and on dry, sandy, and stony 



