life and death, added to human ingenuity and industry, that its harmful districts occupy but a comparatively small portion of its surface, the greater part of the world being suitable for human habitations, the black man settling as a pioneer, a hewer of wood and drawer of water, where the white man cannot yet abide. But in all those localities where the miasmatic exhalations impall the land with their pestilential mantle, and scatter the seeds of death on every breeze, the reptiles may be found luxuriating amid the deadly elements, and thriving in spots where the foot of man dares not tread, and his inquiring eye ventures not to penetrate.

THE first family of this tribe is distinguished by the apparent absence of eyelids, those organs being only rudimentary and scarcely visible, so as to give to the eyes a superficial resemblance to those of the serpents. On account of this peculiarity, the reptiles belonging to this family are termed the Gape-eyed Skinks. Their bodies are spindle-shaped, their tongues are scaly, nicked at the tip, their teeth are conical, and their limbs are four in number, and very feeble.

These creatures are found in various parts of the globe, but Australia seems to be their favourite home. The PETE or AUSTRALIAN TILIQUA (Crytoblepharus Boutonii) is a good example of the Gape-eyed Skinks or GYMNOPHTHALMIDE, a long name derived from two Greek words signifying naked-eyed. As its name imports, this reptile is a native of Western Australia, but it is also found in other parts of the world, specimens having been taken in Timor and the Mauritius. The colour of the Pete is olive, sometimes with a wash of bronze, mottled with brown, and variegated with little black streaks. Sometimes there is a bright yellow streak on each side. Its eyelid is circular and scaly, and the three upper scales are the largest.

THE next family is well represented by the PYGOPUS, or NEW HOLLAND SCHELTOPUSIC, a curious reptile that inhabits Australia.

This creature might easily be mistaken for the snake-like Lizard called the Scheltopusic, which has already been described on page 49, as the two fore legs are entirely absent, and the hinder pair are very small, rudimentary, and set so closely against the

body that they would escape a casual glance. They are flattish, covered with scales, and are not even divided into joints or toes, so that they are wholly useless for progression, the Pygopus creeping along after the ordinary fashion of snakes.

If the creature be turned on its back, a curious arrangement of scales is seen. Between the bases of the lower limbs, several large shield-like scales are seen, and just above them is a row of rather long and arched scales, extending in a semicircular form from one limb to the other, and looking much like the stones that are set upon the summit of an arched doorway. Each of these scales is pierced with a circular pore, so that the general effect is very striking. The whole body of this reptile is very long in proportion to its width, and it has altogether a very serpentine aspect.

The head of the Pygopus is rather short, and is covered above with some rather large shields, that upon the top of the head being equal to any two others in size. The scales of the back are keeled, and its colour is coppery grey, 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 APRASIA (Aprasía 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 colour 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 only contains 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 Burtoni) may be taken as an example of this family. The colour is olive above, with five imperfect brown streaks, and grey 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. Our common blindworm 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 SKINK 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. The 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 ɛtout 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.

Specimens 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 to be engaged in the labour of sinking a tunnel for the purpose of aiding its escape. Several travellers have seen the Skink thus bury itself, and have all carried away the same opinion of its powers.

If quietly approached, it may often be detected sleeping in the hot sunbeams, lying stretched at length upon the stones or rocks, and so far steeped in slumber, that it may be approached quite closely without taking alarm.

The name of Officinal Skink has been given to this reptile on account of the high place which it formerly held among the medical profession, and the extreme value which it was thought to possess when dried, pounded, made up neatly into draughts or boluses, and used as a medicine. There is hardly a disease to which the human race is liable, which was not thought curable by the prepared body of this reptile, certainly not the least repulsive of all the disgusting substances which the early physicians delighted to choose from the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdom, to fill their multitudinous boxes and bottles, and to inflict upon their patients. Sometimes a physician would even evince his belief in the efficacy of his medicine by taking it himself, and would swallow, with full belief in its healing powers, the burnt liver of a hyæna, the moss from a dead man's skull, the grated flesh of a mummy, or the remains of a pounded lizard, together with many other substances too revolting to mention. 208.

3.

Did a warrior receive a wound from a poisoned arrow, or was a woodman bitten by a venomous snake, there was nothing so effectual for the cure as the dried flesh of the Skink, sometimes called El Adda, and sometimes known by the name of Dhab. He who provided himself with this all-powerful medicine was secure against fits of all kinds, which never attacked the system fortified by a dose of powdered Skink, or were speedily driven away if the sufferer had not previously partaken of this panacea. All skin diseases were cured by the Skink, and even the fearful elephantiasis yielded to its potent sway.

Were the system too inexcitable and lethargic, and did the blood course too slowly through the veins, a little Skink powder would restore the natural powers to their full vigour. Or, on the contrary, if the patient happened to be feverish, restless, with a burning forehead, a parched skin, and a hurried pulse, a dose of the same useful medicine would cool the system, cure the headache, and bring the pulse to its normal state. It is an infallible remedy for worms, eradicates cancer, and removes cataract. In fine, a satisfactory estimate of its valuable properties may be gained by perusing, in the daily journals, any advertisement of any patent medicine, together with the list of maladies for which it is a certain remedy.

Even in the present day, this medicine is in great vogue among the sages of the East. Should the reader happen to travel into eastern lands, and fall sick of a fever, be afflicted with a sunstroke, find himself suddenly smarting with a nettle-rash, catch a cold, or suffer from sand-blindness, the remedy which will, in all probability, be offered to him, will consist of this universal panacea. In the time of the ancients, the Skink was in much favour as a medicine, and was imported largely to Rome, ready prepared in white wine. The heads and feet were considered the most efficient portions of the animal, and were relied upon as infallible renovators of a constitution broken by age, or shattered by excess.

Wherever modern civilization has most penetrated, the Skink has, happily for itself, fallen greatly in medical estimation, and in some places is entirely rejected from the pharmacopeia; though there are not wanting some European physicians who assert that the creature really does possess some valuable properties, but that it has fallen into disrepute through the over-estimate which had been formed of its powers, and which naturally created a reaction in the opposite direction.

In Southern Egypt it still commands the firm belief of the people, and is hunted down with the greatest zeal, as it not only can be applied to the personal ailings of the captors, but can be quickly dried in the burning sunbeams, and sent to Cairo and Alexandria, where it commands a ready sale.

In its habits, this Skink much resembles the generality of terrestrial Lizards of its size and locality. As it seeks for safety below the sand, it is generally to be seen upon the hillocks of fine loose sand which are collected by the south wind, at the foot of any tree which may manage to survive in so ungenial a soil, or are blown against the hedges of the more cultivated land. It generally lies quietly upon the sand, but occasionally starts into vigorous action when it perceives an insect passing within easy reach, makes a sudden rush, captures its prey, and subsides again into its former inactive repose. Beetles are its favourite food, and of these insects it will eat a considerable quantity, but can preserve life for a lengthened period without taking any food at all.

Should it be disturbed, it instantly sinks below the sand, with almost magical quickness; and according to M. Lefebvre, who collected a great number of these Lizards in the year 1828, a few seconds suffice it for constructing and retiring into a burrow several feet in depth. Although armed with tolerably strong teeth and claws, it does not attempt to bite when captured, and any scratch inflicted on the hand of the captor is merely caused by its struggles while endeavouring to effect its escape.

The general colour of the Officinal Skink is reddish dun, crossed with bands of a darker hue above. Below and upon both the flanks, it is of a silvery whiteness. It is, however, liable to considerable variations, of which the most important may be briefly denoted as follows: In one variety, the upper parts are yellow, or silver-grey, with seven or eight large brown spots on the sides. In another, the head is yellow, the upper parts are chestnut-brown, profusely sprinkled with little white spots, each scale having two, or even

three, white dots upon the surface. The back is marked with a series of broad white bands, generally five or six in number, and having a black patch at either extremity of each band. In another variety, the upper parts are silvery grey, splashed with pure white, and variegated with irregular brown spots. But however great may be the variations, they are all confined to the upper surface, the abdomen, flanks, and under surface retaining their beautiful silvery whiteness. The banded variety is the most common. The Officinal Skink is by no means a large reptile, seldom exceeding eight inches in length, and being generally about six or seven inches long.

PASSING by one or two genera of considerable extent, such as Hinulia and Mocoa, the members of which are mostly found in Australia, though there are species which inhabit China, Java, the Philippines and New Zealand, we come to a reptile very well known by the popular title of the SCORPION LIZARD, and called more scientifically, as well as more correctly, the BROAD-HEADED PLESTIODON.

In spite of the rather alarming name which the terrors of the ignorant have caused them to bestow upon it, the Scorpion Lizard is one of the most harmless, as well as one of the most useful little creatures that inhabit the earth.

It is a native of Northern America, and is spread over a very large tract of country. This curious Lizard is one of the species that delights in trees, and of which we shall see more in a future page. It generally resides in some tree buried in the depths of the forest, and remains at a considerable elevation above the ground, never liking to make its home less than thirty or forty feet above the earth, and often placing itself at a much greater height.

The domicile in which this reptile most delights is the deserted home of a woodpecker, which has brought up her little family, and forsaken the burrow which had taken such time and trouble to hollow from the decaying wood. Here the Scorpion Lizard takes up its residence, and here it remains snugly concealed unless it is alarmed by an enemy at the gate of its wooden fortress, when it runs nimbly to the entrance, and pokes out its red head with so threatening a gesture, that its intending assailant, thinking it must possess