REPTILES. 
297 
parative length of the bodies, and in the gradual diminu- 
tion and ultimate disappearance of the extremities. In 
the genus Scincus, for instance, the limbs are already less 
robust than those of the true Saurians; the two pairs are 
also more distant from each other, in consequence of the 
greater comparative elongation of the body. There are as 
yet five perfect toes on each foot, which, however, are 
shorter and more even in their relative proportions than 
in the true Saurians. These deviations become increased 
in the genus Ghalcides, and still more in Seps, which has a 
very elongated body, the limbs extremely small, and the 
toes only four or three on each foot. In Morwdactylus a 
further reduction takes place in the development of the 
limbs, which have dwindled to a mere little undivided 
finger; they are still, however, four in number; but in the 
genus Bipes the anterior ones have wholly disappeared, and 
are found in a rudimentary state under the integument, 
the posterior ones constituting only small undivided pro- 
cesses. These also being removed, the Ophidian form of 
the present genus, and those of Tortrix, Typldops, and others, 
with all the Ampklshcmada 1 , succeed, in which the bones of 
the shoulder, the sternum, and the pelvis, exist in a more 
or less rudimentary condition, and lead us toward the true 
Snakes, in which all these parts are lost, excepting the 
rudiment of a posterior extremity, which in the Boa appears 
externally in the form of a small horny hook, or holder, 
on each- side of the vent.” * 
Besides the Slow-worm, we have in the British Isles but 
two representatives of the vast Lizard group — the Order 
Sauna. One of these is the elegant Sand Lizard of our 
“British Reptiles," p. 40. 
