really double-headed, and that, if they be cut in two, the parts divided seek each other, and re-unite. According to Stedman, the flesh of the Amphisbæna, dried and reduced to a fine powder, is administered as an infallible remedy in cases of broken bones, or dislocated joints; on the inference, that, as it has the power of uniting its own body, if cut in two, and of healing, in so marvellous a manner, amputation in itself, it has at least the power of curing a simple fracture in another!

The species, described by M. Bibron as a native of Guinea, is termed, by that naturalist, the WHITETAILED AMPHISBÆNA, (A. leucura.) The GREY AMPHISBÆNA, (A. cinerea, Vand.; A. rufa, Hempr.,) is found in North Africa, Spain, and Portugal. It leads a wormlike life, in the soft ground, and feeds on insects, etc.; but we know little of its peculiar habits.

GENUS LEPIDOSTERON.

This genus is closely allied to Amphisbæna; and contains three species, natives of South America.

GENUS TROGONOPHIS.

The genus Trogonophis, separated by Kaup from Amphisbæna, is distinguished by various characters, connected with the teeth, and other parts, from the Reptiles of the latter genus, which, externally, it closely resembles. One species only is known, (T. Wiegmanni, Kaup,) a native of Northern Africa.

GENUS OPHISAURUS.

We shall conclude this family with the genus Ophisaurus, which, excepting in the total absence of limbs, is closely allied to the genus Pseudopus, (the Scheltopusik.) With the head of a Lizard, the single species of this genus has the body of a snake, and the snakelike manners which such a form necessarily involves. It is generally considered as belonging to the serpents, and is regarded in this light by Linnæus and Cuvier.

This animal, the GLASS SNAKE of Catesby, (Ophisaurus ventralis, Daud.,) so called, in allusion to its extreme brittleness, is a native of Carolina, and the southern provinces of the United States of America. It is harmless and timid; and feeds on insects, and small reptiles, frogs, etc. It is subject to considerable variation of colouring; a circumstance, which has led to the supposition, that several species exist, which M. Bibron considers a mistake.

We have now, through one series of links, brought the Saurian Reptiles to join the Serpents, or Ophidia; but they also merge into the latter, through another series, which runs parallel to that already described, and which constitutes the family of Scinks, or Scincida.

VIII. FAMILY, SCINKS, OR LEPIDOSAURIANS.

THE present family, which concludes the Sauria, commencing with the Scinks, and their allies, passes, through various intermediate forms, to the genera Anguis and Acontias, containing species which may be regarded as Snakes among Lizards, or Lizards among Snakes.

To the general characters of the Sauria, this family joins many distinguishing peculiarities. The head is covered with large plates, generally angular. The rest of the body is invested with scales, of greater or less magnitude, and of variable forms; but always disposed in a five-fold order, and overlaying each other like the tiles of a house, or, as we see in large-scaled fishes, as for example, the carp. There are no lateral folds, and the scales of the under parts are arranged like those of the back. The tongue is free, fleshy, notched at its point, and covered, either altogether, or in part, with papillæ.

These characters are sufficiently decisive. The large angular plates, for example, which cover the head, do not occur in the Chameleons, the Geckos, the Varans, or

the Iguanas, though they are present in the true Lizards and the Chalcidians; but the true Lizards have the scales of the under parts always differently arranged from those of the back; and in the latter, the scales are all disposed so as to form circles round the body.

Like the Chalcidians, the posterior part of the head and the neck are of the same thickness, so that there is no interruption, or contraction, between the former and the body. The whole of the surface of the scaling is generally smooth, and polished; hence many of these Reptiles glide easily into small crevices; and they creep, by giving a tortuous, or snake-like motion to the trunk and tail. The limbs are short, where present; they vary in number in different groups, being four, two, or none.

GENUS SCINCUS.

The genus Scincus is thus characterized. The tongue is notched and scaly; the teeth are conical and blunt, and there are two rows on the palate. The muzzle is wedge-shaped; the scales are smooth and shining, like those of a fish. The limbs are four, with five toes on each foot. The tail is conical and pointed.

The OFFICINAL SCINK, (Scincus officinalis,) termed El Adda, by Bruce, may be selected, by way of example. (See engraving.) This beautiful Lizard is subject to considerable variation in its colouring; its upper parts are usually yellow, or of a silvery grey, mingled with brown and blackish, in transverse marks; the under parts are, generally, of a silvery white.

The Officinal Scink is peculiar to the northern and and western parts of Africa, and to Syria. It is found in Senegal; Bruce met with it in Syria and Abyssinia; and it abounds in Upper and Middle Egypt, whence most of the specimens seen in collections are derived. In the sixteenth century it was an object of commerce: in ancient times, indeed, it was regarded as an efficacious remedy in various diseases. According to Pliny, it was