Head covered with shields, which are symmetrically arranged. Tongue slender, free, exsertile, terminating in a fork. Scales on the back granular or rhombic, on the sides granular; on the belly larger, quadrangular or rounded, and arranged in cross bands. No longitudinal fold along the sides, but generally a fold across the throat. Tail very long, rounded, With the

scales arranged in rings; fragile. Eyes diurnal, with eyelids; tympanum distinct. Limbs four, well developed.
The species of this family do not attain to any considerable size; most of them are found in Africa, America, and Europe. They live generally on the ground, and are not burrowing.
Only the following genera occur on the East Indian continent:-

•     Inguinal pores only     Tachydromus, p. 69.
•     Femoral pores; toes not toothed on the sides; eyelids present     Cabrita, p. 71.
•     Femoral pores; toes not toothed on the sides; eyelids none     Ophiops, p. 72.
•     Femoral pores; toes toothed on the sides     Acanthodactylus, p. 72.