ORDER V. APODA.
(Footless Amphibia.)
We have seen by how gradual steps the Amphibia approach the Fishes; we now come to a group which links them, in a manner equally interesting, to the Serpents. A zoologist no less able than the illustrious Cuvier, actually arranged them with the latter, by the title of "naked Serpents."
The form is snake-like, lengthened, cylindrical through its whole length, without any trace of limbs; the skin apparently naked and covered with a viscid secretion, but marked with numerous annular wrinkles or folds,[1] within which are concealed numerous rings of flat, delicate, overlapping scales, very minute, resembling those of fishes, their rounded edges being free. The tail is very short, neither compressed nor tapering, but ending suddenly with a round or conical extremity. The skeleton is furnished with ribs, which are forked at the end that joins the spine: the sternum, or breast-bone, is wanting. The opening of the mouth is rather small, the lower jaw is shorter than the upper, and both are furnished with teeth, which are long, sharp, and, for the most part,
- ↑ Dr. Mayer. however, considers these wrinkles to be no true character, but as produced mainly by the contraction of the skin, by means of the spirit in which the animals are preserved.
