Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/169

Rh fore part of the muzzle is covered in front with a single large plate, the anterior border of which forms a sharp edge: the tail, which is abruptly conical, terminates in a sharp horny point or nipple in the midst of a polished circular plate. This species is about thirteen inches in length,

and about one fourth= of an inch in diameter; its colour above is an uniform pale bluish grey, that of the under parts a pale yellowish white, sometimes tinged with rose-pink. The whole surface of the body is beautifully smooth, and highly polished during life; but when preserved in spirits, the edges of the scales being raised, this appearance is quite destroyed, and the surface is rough.