146 
LIZARDS. 
The typical representative of this genus of snake-like lizards 
(Ophisaurus apus ) was first discovered by Pallas in the wooded 
valleys of the steppes bordering the Volga, where it is known, in common with 
true snakes, by the name of scheltopusik, a term which may be conveniently 
applied to all the members. The species was subsequently discovered in other 
parts of Russia, as well as in Hungary, Istria, Dalmatia, Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, 
Persia, Transcaucasia, Transylvania, and Turkestan, while it is replaced in Morocco 
by a more brilliantly coloured variety. Four other species are also known, which 
extend the range of the genus to North-Eastern India, Burma, and North America. 
Agreeing with the American four-limbed genus Gerrhonotus in the presence of a 
fold along the sides of the body, and the more or less conical teeth, the scheltopusiks 
are distinguished by their moderately elongated snake-like form, and the absence 
of functional limbs; the European species alone having the hinder-pair represented 
by minute rudiments on the 
sides of the vent. These crea¬ 
tures are covered with squared 
scales, arranged in straight 
longitudinal and transverse 
series; and they are furnished 
with teeth on the pterygoids, 
and in certain cases on some 
of the other bones of the palate. 
The European species, which, in 
addition to rudiments of hind- 
limbs, is distinguished by an 
aperture to the ear, attains a 
length of rather more than a 
yard, of which about two-thirds 
are occupied by the tail. The 
arrangement of the shields on 
the head is very much the same as in the blind-worm; and the general colour is 
brown, becoming lighter on the lower surface. The young are, however, olive- 
grey, with wavy dark brown crossbands on the back, and bars on the sides of the 
head. Dwelling among the dense underwood of thickly - wooded valleys, the 
scheltopusik harmonises so closely in colour with its surroundings, that it can 
only with difficulty be detected, as it glides away among the dead leaves and 
sticks at the approach of a footstep. Although as free from venom as ordinary 
lizards, it is frequently mistaken for a snake, and then meets the fate which so 
often, under similar circumstances, befalls the blind-worm. Preying largely upon 
mice and voles, and not even hesitating to attack and kill the deadly viper, the 
scheltopusik is, however, a fierce and active creature, gliding swiftly and suddenly 
upon its victims among the moss and leaves of the woods. It also subsists largely 
upon snails; and is further reported to eat the eggs and young of birds. Its eggs 
are laid under thick bushes and leaves. The scheltopusik is believed to be a 
long-lived animal, the natives of the countries it inhabits stating that its full 
period of existence is from forty to sixty years. Fossil scheltopusiks occur in 
COMMON SCHELTOPUSIK. 
