58 
THE COMMON SEINE. 
of the back are keeled, and its color is coppery gray, with five rows of rather oblong white 
spots with black centres, and a few black streaks drawn obliquely upon the sides of the 
neck. 
The Delma (. Delma fraseri) is very like the Pygopus, but may be distinguished from it 
by the scales of the back, which are smooth and without keels, by the shorter hinder limbs, 
the absence of the pores, and the elliptical shape of the pupil of the eye, that of the Pygopus 
being circular. 
Two more small families of reptiles are worthy of a passing notice. The first is that 
which is represented by a single species, the Aphasia (. Aprasia pulchella ), and remarkable 
for being destitute of limbs, and having none of the pores which have just been mentioned. 
The body is lengthened, and covered with six-sided scales on the upper surface and flanks. 
The scales are quite smooth, and their color is pale brown, with a dot of dark hue in the 
centre of each scale, giving a sort of variegated aspect. Along the flanks these dots become 
longer, so that they almost join each other, and form imperfect streaks on the sides. The lips 
are yellow. This reptile inhabits Western Australia. 
The next family contains only one genus, which, like the preceding creature, inhabits 
Australia. In these reptiles the head is long and flattened, the pupil of the eye elliptical and 
upright, the scales are oval, smooth, and overlap each other, and the curious pores are present, 
each set in the front edge of a scale. Burton’s Lialis (. Lialis burton!) may be taken as an 
example of this family. The color is olive above, with five imperfect brown streaks, and gray 
below, with large whitish spots. 
The large and important family of the Skinks contains between forty and fifty genera, 
nearly each of which possesses one or more species, concerning which there is something 
worthy of notice. In these reptiles the head is rather squared than rounded, and covered 
regularly with horny shields. The body is mostly spindle-shaped, though sometimes of a 
cylindrical form, and very much elongated, in which case the legs are generally rudimentary, 
and sometimes altogether wanting externally. The common blind- worm is a familiar example 
of this structure. The tail suits the form of the body, being cylindrical in the long-bodied 
species, and tapering in those of a more spindle-like shape. 
The genus in which the Common, or Officinal Skunk is placed, is now so restricted, that 
it only contains a single species ; but in the earlier times of zoological science, its rules were 
so greatly relaxed, that many species were admitted within its limits. 
In this genus the muzzle is wedge-shaped, the scales are thin and smooth, and the tail 
conical and pointed. The toes are rather flattened, and fringed on the side. They eyes are 
guarded by distinct eyelids, the lower of which is covered with scales. The palate is 
furnished with teeth, and has a longitudinal groove, and the ears are small, and toothed in 
front. There are four short and rather stout limbs, tolerably strong, and enabling the 
creature to make its escape from its enemies by rapidly sinking below the sandy soil on which 
it is usually found. 
The Skink is a native of Northern Africa, and is very common in some localities. Speci- 
mens are said to have been found in some portions of Asia, and it seems to be clearly proved 
to inhabit Syria and several parts of India. 
It is a tolerably active little Lizard, not running fast or far, but contenting itself with 
hanging about the same locality, and feeling itself more secure on the sandy soil of its native 
districts, than if wandering at large on the plains. Indeed, unless it is alarmed, or except 
when it is aroused to short exertions by the presence of its prey, the Skink seldom troubles 
itself to hurry its pace beyond a slow crawl ; and not even when most startled, does it attempt 
to seek safety in flight. No sooner does it perceive the approach of danger, than it slips 
below the sand with such singular speed and adroitness, that those who have witnessed this 
performance, say that it seems rather to be gliding into some hole already excavated, than 
