REPTILIA. 973 
7 
reptile, has the anterior fect without toes, the posterior with two each. This 
case is exactly reversed in the genus Brachymeles, where the anterior feet 
have two toes, the posterior none. In the Australian Chelomeles, each foot 
has two toes; while Heteromeles (from Algiers) has two toes on the fore, and 
three on the hind feet. Seps, represented by a single species, S. chalcides 
(pl. 87, fig. 6), a native of Southern Europe, exhibits three toes on each, 
rather weak, foot. In Tetraductylus we find four toes on each foot ; 
in Campsodactylus, five toes in front, and four behind; and in Heteropus, 
four in front, and five behind. Finally, Yrachysaurus and Gongylus 
have five toes to each foot. The above illustrations, far from em- 
bracing the whole of the Ncincide, may serve as an indication of the 
great variety of structure and appearance, presented by this extensive 
family. 
To us, the most interesting genera of Saurophthalmian scinks are Plestio- 
don and Lygosoma, these being the only ones which are found in the United 
States. The species, of various size, are known in the Southern States, indis- 
criminately, as scorpions, and dreaded as venomous. They are, however, 
like all reptiles, excepting a few serpents, perfectly free from any such 
properties, although the larger individuals may be capable of inflicting a 
severe bite. Only one species, Plestiodon fasciatus, 1s found in the North, 
the rest rarely occurring north of Maryland. The largest species, P. ameri- 
canus, sometimes attains a length of 25 inches. The smaller species are usually 
found about old logs, their food consisting of minute insects. Plestiodon 
aldrovandii, an Egyptian species, is represented in pl. 81, fig. 51. The 
genus Scincus, as at present restricted, embraces but a single species, S. 
officinalis (pl. 89, fig. 4). This animal, a native of Northern Africa, has 
been celebrated from the time of Pliny, for certain supposed medicinal virtues. 
for which reason it was long considered as one of the most valuable articles of 
the pharmacopeeia, and even now is kept by the druggists of Southern Europe. 
It was supposed to be effectual in all eruptive diseases, but the chief applica- 
tion was as an aphrodisiac. Gongylus ocellatus (pl. T4, fig. T1) is a common 
European reptile. 
The second sub-family of Scincide@ is that of the Ophiophthalmoi, in which 
the eyes, like those of serpents, are either entirely deprived of eyelids, or 
else have these in the form of a narrow ring, partly or entirely surrounding 
the eye. Two of the species exhibit a series of pores along the anterior 
margin of the cloaca; none, however, have femoral pores. Most of the species 
~ are natives of New Holland. The genus Hysteropus, with a highly ser- 
pentiform body, is without fore-feet, the posterior being very feeble, and 
flattened, without any division into fingers. (HL nove hollandie is repre- 
sented in pl. 74, fig. 68.) Other genera have four feet, variously provided 
with toes. | 
The third and last sub-family, the Typhlophthalmoi, comprises species 
which are perfectly blind, having the eyes so minute as to be entirely rudi- 
mentary. There are but two species known, one, Dibamus nove-guinea, with 
posterior remiform fect, the other, Typhline cuvierii, an inhabitant of South 
Africa, without any feet whatever. 
477 
