NORTH AMERICAN BATRACHIA ANI) REPTILIA. 
45 
xiphisternal fontanelle rarely present; tongue 
squamose ; nostril in a plate Scincidce. 
y. Supranasal plates numerous; internasal plate large, 
transverse; head shielded behind; tongue papillose, 
sheathed at the tip ; clavicle with a simple proximal 
end; mesosternum cruciform Anguidce. 
2 . Tongue simple, papillose; clavicle with a simple, 
proximal end. 
Articular bone and xiphisternal fontanelle want- 
ing ; abdominal ribs present Anolidce. 
Articular bone and, generally, xiphisternal fon- 
tanelle present ; abdominal ribs rarely present. 
Iguanidce. 
B. Vertebrae usually am phicoelian; parietals double. 
Pterygoid not touching sphenoid ; tongue papillose. 
Gecconidce. 
Artificial Synopsis of Families. 
A. Limbs none. 
Tongue scaly; eyes invisible Amphisbcenidce. 
Tongue not scaly ; eyes visible . Anguidce,. 
B. Limbs present. 
x. Toes simple. 
1. Tongue deeply bifid at end; scales of back small, 
granular Teidce. 
2. Tongue not deeply bifid. 
Scales of back large, smooth Scincidce. 
Scales of back large, carinate Iguanidce. 
y. Toes expanded into disks near the end. 
Toes clawless; scales of back large, keeled. Gecconidce. 
Toes with claws; scales of back granular. . . Anolidce . 
Family AMPHISBJENHVF. 
Genus Rhineura, Cope. 
Nasal shields present; ten or twelve plates on head; no pre- 
anal pores; tail depressed, and tuberculous above; eyes invisible. 
80. R. jloridana , Baird. Floridan Blind Snake. Vertical 
plate large and irregularly pentagonal; occipitals small; three 
small plates on each side of vertical ; nasal single ; superior labials 
four; inferior three or four; sternal plates small, about 12; three 
pair of preanal plates in a longitudinal series ; superior maxillary 
teeth 5-5, anterior pair longest; 14 to 16 rings on tail, all but 
