ACO'NTIAS (from 6smr, a javelin), the name of a of serpents established by Cuvier, for the purpose of certain species hitherto placed with the or common snake. This is characterised by the absence of all the bones which represent the extremities in the while it retains the structure of the bead common to these animals and to the lizards, and has the body similarly covered with small scales only, without the horny plates which its under surface in the common serpents, and protect them from in jury in the various rapid motions which they perform. The species of A contias seem thus to afford a link between the com mon snakes and true serpents.
As naturally be expected from this conformation, the pro movements of the species of A eolith's are very different from those of ser pents. They do not the surface like these animals, but and breasts erect ; and if closely pursued de fend themselves cou and dart with the velocity of an arrow their assailant. dreaded in their native countries, because confounded with their venomous these animals are perfectly hannlema, and neither poetess the meaTik nor have the desire of They have no poison and their cheek-teeth are so small as, in some species, to be barely perceptible. Their habits are and they are so timid that they fly at the least noise, or, upon the appear ance of conceal themselves under some shrub or tuft of or even bnry themselves when no other is at hand.
They are, of a small size ; and, as their mouths are not susceptible of theenormous dilatation possessed by true serpents, they are incapable of any animal to their own dimensions, and feed upon worms and insects. DitfiTent species of A congas are found in almost every part of the old world. The arid plains of Syria and Palestine produce a species which ham been mentioned by the prophet Isaiah (xxxiv., 15), under the Hebrew denomination improperly translated ' the owl' hi our com mon version of the Sacred Scriptures, but which the learned Bocinut (' 1 lierozoieon,' pars poet.cap. xi) has shown to refer more ro pperly to the Amaie., or jaridus, the Dart Snake of the Greeks and Itornana Other species inhabit Amin Minor, and Persia; India and China have also their At-smiles and the Cape of Good }lope produces a species without eyes.
Of the common Amities many fables are recorded by ancient authors, principally from this really harm less species with the more deadly and venomous serpents of the same localities.