The _Sepsidæ_ differ from the preceding, and also from the great family of the _Scincidæ_, by having the nostrils placed in the front edge of a small shield, in a notch at the hinder side of the rostral plate, which latter is rather large and square. The eyes are distinct, the lower eyelid scaly, or with a transparent disk. Body fusiform or sub-cylindrical, elongate. These reptiles burrow in dry sand, and are peculiar to the anciently-known continents and certain islands. Some have a wedge-shaped head, with prominent rostral plate. Of these the genus _Sphenops_ has more developed limbs, each dividing into four toes; and the only species, _S. sepsoides_, inhabits Egypt and other parts of North Africa. _Sphenocephalus_ has a more slender and elongate shape, and the limbs are placed more distantly apart; the anterior minute, and fitting into a groove, the posterior as large as in _Sphenops_, and each of them having but three toes, of which the innermost and next are sub-equal, and the outer much shorter. The only known species, _S. tridactylus_, is common in Afghanistan. In _Scelotes_ the anterior limbs disappear altogether; and the only known species, _S. bipes_, inhabits South Africa. Other genera have a pyramidal head, with the rostral plate erect, and rounded in front. Such are the five following, each founded on a single species:--_Gongylus ocellatus_, from North Africa and the borders of the Mediterranean; _Thyrus Bojeri_, from the Mauritius; _Amphiglossus astrolabi_, from Madagascar; _Seps tridactylus_, from the south of Europe and north of Africa; and _Heteromeles mauritanicus_, from North Africa. The last has only two toes to the fore-feet, three to the hind; and _Seps_ has three toes to each foot, while the other three genera have five to each foot. In general these animals are found in dry and elevated spots, where they hide themselves in the sand or under stones. [Illustration: Fig. 25.--Seps tridactylus.]