MONOGRAPH LACERTID^ CVJ GEORGE ALBERT BOULENGER LL.D., D.Sc, F.R.S. VOLUME II LONDON: PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. SOLD BY LONGMANS, GREEN & CO., 39, PATERNOSTER ROW, B.C. 4; B. QUARITCH, LTD., 11, GRAFTON STREET, NEW BOND STREET, W. 1; DULAU & CO., LTD., 34,-36, MARGARET STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. 1 ; AND AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY), CROMWELL ROAD, S.W. 7. 1921. PRINTED BY ADLAED AND SON AND WEST NEWMAN, LIMITED LONDON AND DORKING. PREFACE. As was stated by Mr. Bouleuger in his Introduction to the first volume, issued in Maj, 1920, the second and conchiding volume was then ready for printing. He has since retired from the service of the Trustees, but he has corrected the proofs and prepared an index to the whole work. C. Tate Regan, Keeper of Zoology. British Museum (Natural History), London, S.W. 7. November, 1921. SYSTEMATIC INDEX. 4. Plulochortus, Matschie, 1893 1. spinalis, Peters, 1874 . 2. phillipsii, Blgr. 1898 . 3. neiimanni, Matschie, 1893 4. intermedins, Blgr. 1917 5. hardeggeri, Stdr. 1891 5. Latastia, Bedr. 1884 i. Latastia, s. str. 1. johustonii, Blgr. 1907 . '2. siebenrocki. Torn. 1905 3. burii, Bl^^r. 1907 4. boscee, Bedr. 1884 5. wachei, Wern. 1913 6. longicaudata, Renss, 1834 var. andersonii, Blgr. 1921 „ revoili, Vaill. 1882 7. carinata, Peters, 1874 . ii. Apathya, Mehely, 1907 8. cappadocica, Wern. 19u2 6. Acanthodactylus, Wiegm. 1834 . 1. vulgaris, D. & B. 1839 var. belli. Gray, 1845 „ atlanticus, Blgr. 1918 „ mauritanicvis, Doum. 1901 „ blanci, Doiim. 1901 „ lineomaculatus, D. &, B. 1839 2. tristrami, Gtlir. 1864 . 3. boueti, Chaban. 1917 . 4. savignyi, And. 1829 5. pardalis, Licht. 1823 var. bedriag'Ee, Lat. 1881 „ maculatus. Gray, 1838 „ latastii, Blgr. 1918 ,, spinicauda, Doum. 1901 6. micropholis, Blanf . 1874 7. schreiberi, Blgr. 1878 . var. syriacus, Boettg. 1879 Sysfematic hidex. 6. Acanthodactylus — continued. 8. boskianus, Daud. 1802 var. asper, Aud. 18:i9 „ euphraticvis, Blgr. 1919 9. cantoris, Gthr. 1864 var. blanfordii, Blgr. 1918 „ arabicus, Blgr. 1918 10. scutellatus, Aud. 1829 var. longipos, Blgr. 1918 „ audoiiini, Blgr. 1918 „ aureus, Gthr. 1903 „ inornatus. Gray, 1838 „ dunierili, M.-Edw. 1829 11. fraseri, Blgr. 1918 . 12. grandis, Blgr. 1909 . 7. Gastropholis, J. G. Fiscli. 1886 . 1. vittata, J. G. Fiscli. 1886 8. Bedriagaia, Blgr. 1916 1. tropidopholis, Blgr. 191G 9. Poromera, Hlgr. 1887 . 1. fordii. Hallow. 1857 10. Apeltonotus, lilgr. 1918 1. dorsalis, Stejn. 190-1 11. Tachydromus, Daud. 1802 1. amurensis, Peters, 1881 2. tachydromoides, Sclileg. 1838 3. wolteri, J. G. Fiscli. 1885 4. septentrionalis, Gthr. 186-1 5. forinosanus, Blgr. 189-1 6. khasiensis, Blgr. 1918 7. smaragdiuus, Blgr. 1887 8. sauteri, Vau Denb. 1909 9. sexlineatus, Daud. 1802 10. haughtonianus, Jerd. 1870 12. Platyplacopus, Blgr. 1918 1. kuehnei. Van Denb. 1909 13. Tropidosaura, Fitz. 1826 1. montana. Gray, 1831 . 14. Psammodromus, Fitz. 1826 1. blanci, Lat. 1880 2. hispanicus, Fitz. 1826 . 3. microdactylus, Boettg. 1881 4. algirus, L. 1766 15. lehnotropis, Peters, 1854 1. tanganicana, Blgr. 1917 2. bivittata, Bocage, 1866 3. capensis, A. Smith, 1838 4. longipes, Blgr. 1902 Sysiematic Index. 15. Ichnotropis — continued. 5. chapini, Schmidt, 1919 6. squamulosa, Peters, 1S54 16. Cabrita, Gray, 1838 . 1. leschenaultii, :^[.-Edw. 1829 2. jerdonii, Beddome, 1870 17. Opliiops, Menetr. 1832 . 1. jerdonii, Blyth, 1853 . 2. beddomii, Jerd. 1870 . 3. occidentalis, Bl<^. 1887 4. elegans, Menetr. 1832 . var. ehrenbergii, Wiegm. 1835 „ persicus, Blgr. 1918 „ mizolepi.?, Stol. 1872 „ schlueteri, Boettg. 1880 5. inicrolepis, Blanf. 1S70 18. Eremias, Wiegm. 1831. i. Lampreremias, Blgr. 1918 . 1. nitida, Gthr. 1872 var. garambensis, Schmidt, 1919 2. quadrinasalis, Chabaii. 1918 3. spekii, Gthr. 1872 4. lugubris, A. Smith, 1838 ii. Pseiideremias, Boettg. 1883 5. mucronata Blanf. 1870 6. smithii, Blgr. 1895 7. erythrosticta, Blgi-. 1891 8. striata, Peters, 1874 . 9. brenneri, Peters, 1869 . iii. Taenieremias, Blgr. 1918 10. guineensis, Blgr. 1887 iv. Mesalina, Gray, 1838 11. guttulata, Licht. 1823 var. olivieri, Aud. 1829 „ martini, Blgr. 1897 „ latastii, Blgr. 1918 ,, susana, Blgr. 1918 „ balfouri, Blanf. 1881 12. adramitana, Blgr. 1917 13. brevirostris, Blanf. 1874 14. rubropunctata, Licht. 1823 15. namaquensis, D. & B. 1839 16. undata, A. Smith, 1838 17. benguelensis, Bocage, 18G7 18. lineo-ocellata, D. & B. 1839 var. pulchella. Gray, 1845 19. aspera, Blgr. 1917 20. burchelli, D. & B. 1839 Til PAQB 190 191 193 194 197 199 201 205 207 211 214 215 216 217 222 224 227 231 233 234 235 239 227 244 247 250 251 254 228 256 228 258 261 263 264 265 266 271 273 276 280 283 287 289 294 299 302 Si/fiteiiiotic Index. 18. Ereniias — continved. 21. caponsis, A. Smith, 1838 V. Eremias, s. str. 22. velox. Pall. 1771 vai'. persica, lilanf. is"^' 23. bedriagffi, Nik. 1911 . 24. nikolskii, Bedr. 1905 . 25. regeli, Bedr. 1905 26. fasciata, Blanf. 1874 . 27. vermiciilata, Blanf. 1875 28. qiiadrifroiis, Straucli, 1876 29. prze-walskii, Straiich, 1876 30. multiocellata, Gthr. 1872 var. yarkandensis, Blanf. 1875 „ saturata, Blanf. 1875 „ koslowi, Bedr. 1907 .11. pleskei, Bedr. 1907 32. intermedia, Strauch, 1876 33. argus, Peters, 1869 var. brenchleyi, Gtlir. 1872 34. arguta, Pall. 1771 19. Scaptira, Wiegm. 1834 . i. Meroles, Gray, 1838 1. knoxii, M.-Edw. 1829 . 2. siiborlntalis, Peters, 1869 3. reticulata, Bocage, 1867 ii. Saurites, Peters, 1869 4. ctenodactyla, A. Smith, 1838 5. cuneirostris, Strauch, 1867 iii. Scaptira, s. str. 6. lineolata, Nik. 1897 . 7. scripta, Strauch, 1867 . 8. transcaspica, Nik. 1905 9. acutirostris, Blgr. 1887 10. persica, Nik. 1899 11. grammica, Licht. 1823 20. Macmahonia, Blgr. 1918 1. aporoseeles, Alcock & Finn, 1896 21. Aporosaura, Blgr. 1887 1. anchieta3, Bocage, 1867 22. Holaspis, Gray, 1863 . 1. guentheri, Gray, 1863 . MONOGRAPH OF THE LACERTID.^. 4. PHILOCHORTUS. Latastia, part., Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 54 (1887). PhilocJwrtus, Matschie, Sitzb. Ges. Nat. Fr. Berl. 1893, p. 30; Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1917, p. 145. Head -shields normal, save for the occasional absence of the interparietal. Nostril pierced between two shields and bordered by the first upper labial or narrowly separated from it. Lower eyelid scaly, often more or less transparent in the middle. Collar well marked. Back with two to six longitudinal series of large plate- like scales ; ventral plates feebly imbricate, with trun- cate posterior border, smooth. Digits more or less compressed, with smooth or keeled lamellar scales inferiorly. Femoral pores. Tail long, cylindrical. Southern Arabia, Eritrea, Somaliland. This geuus differs from Lacerta and Latastia in the longitudinal series of enlarged plate-like scales on the back, an approximation to the condition in Poromera, Tachydromus, and Holaspis. In all the species the parietal foramen is absent, and a few small teeth are usually present on the pterygoids. The subdigital lamellae vary according to individuals ; they are usually smooth or with two series of obtuse tubercles ; sometimes, VOL. II. 1 2 Lacertidie. however, the tubercles form obtuse keels, aud in a female of P. netimanni there is a rather sharp keel along the middle. Steindachner has already observed that of the two types of P. hardeggeri one has the subditrital laniell* distinctly keeled, whilst in the other the keels are scarcely indicated. The species grouped under this genus thus afford another argument against the unnatural division of the Lacertidas into two main groups, Liodactyli aud Prisfidaciyli, according to the absence or presence of keels on the lower surface of the digits, which the state of things in Psammodromus and Scaj)tii-a had already led me to abandon. Synopsis of the Species. I. Dorsal plates smooth or very feebly keeled ; interparietal usvially absent or separated from the occipital by the parietals meeting in the middle ; usually 4 upper labials anterior to the subocular ; 11 to 15 femoral pores on each side. 30 to 46 dorsal plates and scales across the middle of the body ; hind limb not reaching the ear ; foot Ig to 14 times length of head ........ P. spinalis, Peters, p. 3. 28 or 30 dorsal plates and scales across the middle of the body ; hind limb reaching the ear ; foot 1| times length of head. P. phillipsii, Blgr., p. 5. II. Dorsal plates more or less strongly, rarely feebly keeled ; interparietal in contact with the occipital or separated from it by a small shield ; usually 5 upper labials anterior to the subocular. 38 to 42 dorsal plates find scales across the middle of the body ; 12 to 14 large keeled scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs ; svipraoculars in contact with the frontal ; 29 to 34 gular scales in a longitudinal series ; 14 to 16 femoral pores on each side ; 33 to 35 lamellar scales under the fourth toe . . . F. neumanni, Matsch., p. 7. 33 to 40 dorsal plates and scales across the middle of the body ; 12 to 18 large keeled scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs ; supraoculars in contact with the frontal ; 21 to 28 gular scales in a longitudinal series ; 12 to 18 femoral pores on each side ; 24 to 30 lamellar scales under the foiu-th toe ....... P. intermedius, Blgr., p. 9. 24 to 30 dorsal plates and scales across the middle of the body ; 8 keeled plates in a transverse series between the hind limbs ; supraoculars usually separated from the frontal by a series of granules ; 25 to 28 gular scales in a longi- tudinal series ; 11 to 13 femoral pores on each side ; 25 to 31 lamellar scales imder the fourth toe . . P. hardetjgeri, Stdi'., p. 12. Phllochortus. 3 1. PHILOCHOETUS SPINALIS. Laceda spinalis, Peters, Mou. ^^erl. Ac. 1874, p. S69, pi. — , fig. 2. Latastia spinalis, Bouleug. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 57 (1887) ; Stejueg. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xvi, 1894, p. 717; Bouleug. Auu. Mus. Geuova (2) xvi, 1896, p. 551 ; Toruier, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii, 1905, p. 375; O. Neumauu, t.c, p. 395. Philochorfus spinalis, Bouleug. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1917, p. 146, pi. i, figs. 1, 2. Head aud body feebly depressed. Head 1^ to 1| times as loug as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 to 4^ times in length to vent ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with obtuse canthus. Pileus twice as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head or a little narrower. Hind limb reaching the shoulder or between the shoulder aud the ear in males, the axil or the shoulder in females ; foot 1^ to If times as loug as hand ; toes slender, feebly compressed. Tail 2 to 2^ times as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between 3 shields ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture ^ to | the length of the frontonasal, which is much broader than long and broader than the iuternarial space ; jire- frontals forming a short median suture ; frontal as loug as its distance from the eud of the suout. 1^ to If times as long as broad, angular in front, much narrower behiud, not or but very feebly grooved in front ; parietals IJ to 1^ times as loug as broad, usually meeting on the median line, the interparietal being small and separated from the occipital, or often altogether absent * ; occipital small,t rarely in contact with the interparietal. + Two large subequal supraoculars, preceded aud followed by a small one (first aud fourth) often broken up into two or more small shields or granules, the first in contact with the frontal ; 6 or 7 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a series of granules. Lower eyelid opaque or somewhat trauslucid, with feebly enlarged scales in the middle, some of which are deeper than the others. Eostral not entering the nostril ; a single postnasal ; anterior loreal shorter than the second § ; 4, rarely 5, upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is usually narrower beneath than * Absent in the type specimen and in most of the 59 specimens from Ghinda examined by me. I was wrong in thinking the absence of this shield in the type specimen to be an individual anomaly. t Divided into 2 in the type specimen. t In 2 female specimens from Rugdeia Sogheira in the Genoa Museum. § Absent in the tyi^e specimen. 4 Lacerticliv. above. A loiii;', narrow upper temporal, usually in contact with the fourth supraocular, followed by one or two small shields ; upper temporal scales small and ii^ranul&,r or hexagonal, lower larger ; a more or less distinct tympanic shield. 4 pairs of chin-shields, first two or three in contact in the middle ; 21 to 29 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, granular in front, gradually or abruptly enlarged and imbricate behind, those of the last row often as large as the plates of the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 6 to 10 plates. Scales granular on the nape ; 2, 4, or rarely 6 rows of hexagonal plates along the back, usually smooth, sometimes very feebly keeled ; these plates rather small and usually merging gradually into the granular, flat, smooth or obtusely keeled scales on the sides ; 30 to 46 plates and scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 6 longitudinal and 27 to 32 transverse series, the border of the transverse series notched between the plates, the median pair of which is narrower than the others. Preanal plates small and irregular, or two median enlarged. 11 to 15 femoral ^^ores on each side. 27 to 30 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales forming alternately longer and shorter whorls, upper oblic^ue, rather strongly and diagonally keeled, rounded or obtusely pointed behind, lower feebly keeled, basals smooth ; 21 to 28 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Young dark brown or black on the body, with 6 yellowish white longitudinal streaks ; the median pair bifurcating on the nape, the outer branch extending to the superciliary edge, and uniting on the base of the tail ; the upper lateral streak from the eye to the tail, passing above the tympanum, the lower from the upper lip to the thigh, passing through the tympanum and above the fore limb, reappearing on the back of the thigh ; upper surface of head pale brown, with or without distinct mottling ; upper surface of fore limb pale brown, the shields dark-edged, of hind limb brown with round white spots ; lower parts white ; tail coral-red. These markings may entirely disappear in the adult, or the dark spaces between the light streaks may be replaced by longitudinal series of dark l>rown or black spots on a yellowish brown ground. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. From end of snout to vent . . 55 49 58 52 „ ,, ,, fore limb . . IP 17 18 18 Philochortus. S 1. 2, 3. 4. Length of head . 12 12 12 12 Width of head . 7 7 7 7 Depth of head <r5 6 6 6 Fore limb . 19 17 18 17 Hiud limb . 34 31 32 31 Foot . 17 16 17 16 Tail . — 122 135 123 1. (^ , Eugdeia Sogheira. 2. (^ , Grhinda. 3. 9 , Rue •deia Sogheira ? , Ghiuda. Particulars of Spenimetis Examined. S Eugdeia Sogheira, Adal . $ „ „ „ G.M. ^ Ghinda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 55 34 29 8 26 13-12 29 58 35 30 6 21 14 27 45 40 30 7 22 13 29 53 34 29 9 21 14-15 30 49 33 27 9 24 12 27 49 37 29 7 22 14-15 28 55 37 32 8 29 15 29 52 38 32 7 22 12 28 47 36 32 7 25 13 28 1. Length to vent (in millimetres). 2. Plates and scales across middle of body. 3. Transverse series of ventral plates. 4. Plates in collar. 5. Gular scales in a straight line between symphysis of chin-shields and median collar- plate. 6. Femoral pores (right and left). 7. Lamellar scales under fourth toe. Same explanation for the following tables. Habitat. — Eritrea. The type specimen is from Bogos. I have examined the type and one specimen from Adal in the Berlin Museum, 2 from Eugdeia Sogheira, and 59 from Ghiuda. 2. PHILOCHORTUS PHILLIPSIl. Latastia pMlii)sii, Bouleug. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) ii, 1898, p. 131. Philochortu.9 phillipsii, Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1917, p. 148, pi. i, figs. 3, 4. Head and body rather depressed. Head about 1^ times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length a little more than 4 times in length to vent ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with obtuse canthus. Pileus twice as long as broad. Neck a little narrower than the head. Hind limb reaching the ear-opening ; foot 1\ to 1|- 6 Lacertid;<'. times us Ioiil,' as head ; toes slender, compressed. Tail 2^ to 2| times as louo- as head and body. Nostril pierced between 3 shields ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture J- to h the length of the frontonasal, which is much broader than long and broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals forming a short median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, nearly twice as long as broad, angular in front, much narrower behind, feebly grooved ; parietals 1^ times as long as broad, meeting on the median line between the narrow or very small interparietal and the small, triangular occipital. 4 supraoculars, first small, divided into two and in contact wnth the frontal, second and third large and svxbecjual, fourth small and some- times divided into two ; 5 or 6 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a series of granules. Lower eyelid transparent in the middle, with feebly enlarged scales, some of which are deeper than the others. Eostral not entering the nostril ; a single postnasal ; anterior loreal shorter than second ; 4 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is a little narrower beneath than above. A long, narrow upper temporal, in contact with the fourth supraocular, followed by two small shields ; upper temporal scales small and granular, lower large ; a distinct tympanic shield. 4 pairs of chin-shields, first three in contact in the middle ; 21 gular scales in a straight median line, granular in front, gradually enlarged and imbricate towards the collar, which is formed of 9 plates. Scales flat, granular on the nape, subim])ricate and smooth or faintly keeled on the body, with the two series on the spine much enlarged and plate-like, hexagonal and twice as broad as long ; 28 or 30 plates and scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 6 longi- tudinal and 26 transverse series, the border of the transverse series notched between the plates, the median pair of which is narrower than the others. Two enlarged preanal plates, one in front of the other, with smaller plates anteriorly and laterally. 13 femoral pores on each side. 27 to 30 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales forming alternately somewhat longer and shorter whorls, upper oblicjue, rather strongly keeled, obtusely jiointed behind ; 20 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Young dark brown above, with 5 yellowish longitudinal streaks, the median bifurcating on the nape, each Ijranch extending to the middle of the posterior border of the parietal shield ; the lateral streaks occupying the same position as in P. spinalis. Adult grey above, with 3 lemon-yellow longitudinal streaks, the median forked on the nape, Pliilocliortus. and with crowded black dots forming a baud from the temple to above the hind limb ; limbs speckled with black. Lower j^arts white. Tail red in the youno-. Measurements (in millimetres) : ^ From end of snout to vent ..... 42 fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot Tail This species is 16 10 6 5 16 29 16 114 known from two specimens obtained at Berbera, Somaliland, by Mr. E. Lort Phillips. Distinguished from the pre- ceding by the longer foot and by the light streaks being in odd number on the liody. 3. PHILOCHORTUS NEUMANNI. Pliilocliortus ne'wmanni, Matschie, Sitzb. Gres. Nat. Fr. Berl. 1893, p. 30; Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1917, p. 150, pi. ii, fig. 1. Latasfia neumanni, Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1895, p. 643, pi. xxxvii, fig. 1 ; Steind. Denkschr. Ak. Wien Ixix, 1901, p. 330. Lcdastia hardeggeri, part., Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii, p. 145. Head and body feebly depressed. Head about 1| times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 to 4f times in length to vent ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with obtuse canthus. Pileus twice as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head or a little narrower. Hind limb reaching the collar or between the collar and the ear ; foot 1| to 1^ times as long as head ; toes slender, compressed. Tail 2^ to nearly 3 times as long as head and body. Nostril separated from the upper labial and the postnasal by a narrow rim* ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture i to i the length of the frontonasal, which is much broader than long and broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals forming a short median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, If to 2 times as long as broad, angular in front, narrower behind, not grooved; parietals Ii- to If times as long as broad; Exactly as in Lacerta perspiciUata. 8 Lacertidie. interparietal small, usually separated from the occipital by a small shield. 4 supraoculars, first small aud usually iu contact with the frontal, second and third large and subequal, fourth small and some- times broken up into two or three ; 6 or 7 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a series of granules. Lower eyelid some- what transparent, with feebly enlarged scales iu the middle, some of which are deeper than the others. Eostral not entering the nostril ; a single postnasal ; anterior loreal shorter than the second ; 5, rarely 4,* upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is a little narrower beneath than above. A long, narrow upper temporal, usually in contact with the fourth supraocular, followed by one or two small shields ; temporal scales mostly hexagonal, very small above, larger beneath ; a narrow, curved tympanic shield. 5 pairs of chin-shields, first three in contact in the middle ; 29 to 34 gular scales iu a straight line in the middle, granular in front, gradually or abruptly enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 7 to 10 plates. Scales granular and smooth on the nape, rhombic, juxtaposed or subimbricate, and obtusely keeled on the body ; 4 or 6 series of hexa- gonal plates along the back, more or less strongly keeled ; 38 to 42 plates and scales across the middle of the body.t 12 or 14 large keeled scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates in 6 longitudinal and 28 to 31 transverse series, the border of the transverse series feebly notched between the plates, the median pair of which is narrower than the others. Preanal plates small and irregular, or two large and median, or three large, forming a triangle. 14 to 16 femoral pores on each side. 33 to 35 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales in alternately somewhat longer aud shorter whorls, upper oblique, strongly aud diagonally keeled, rounded or obtusely pointed behind, lower keeled ; 26 to 30 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Brown to blackish above, with six yellowish white streaks, two along the back, diverging on the nape, and two on each side, the upper from behind the eye to the base of the tail, passing above the tympanum, the lower from the upper lip, through the tympanum aud above the fore limb, to the base of the thigh ; the dark baud between the two light lateral streaks sometimes spotted with whitish ; upper * In the female from Mt. Manif. t Anderson's eonnt — 47 — is taken higher xvp the body. Philochortus. surface of head and limbs jmle browu ; lower parts white ; tail pale brown above, yellowish beneath, orange-red distally in the young-. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, fore Y\mh Len^4h of head Width of head Depth of head Fore Innli .... Hind limb .... Foot Tail 1. (^,Mt. Manif. 2. 9 , Mt. Manif. 1. 73 29 18 11 9-5 26 48 25 205 82 29 19 12 10 80 53 28 190 3. 9 , Lahej. Particulars of Specimens Examined. J Mt. Manif 73 82 50 38 38 39 42 40 3. 30 29 28 31 30 5. 33 29 34 31 3. 80 28 18 11 9 26 47 25 200 6. 15-16 14 15 16 14-15 Hgr. ,, . . $ Lahej . Hgr. „ . . . . 53 40 30 10 The type specimen, preserved in the Berlin Museum, has been compared with the specimens from Lahej. Habitat. — This species is only known from South-Western Arabia inland of Aden, specimens having been obtained at Lahej and in the Wadis below Mt. Manif, near Lahej. 4. PHILOCHOETUS INTEEMEDIUS. Latastia hardeggeri (non Steiud.), Bouleug. Ann. tt Mag. N. H. (7) ii, 1898, p. 130. Latastia hardeggeri, part., Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii, p. 145. Philochortus intermediiis, Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1917, p. 152, pi. ii, tigs. 2, 3. Head and body rather dej^ressed. Head 1| to If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 to 4^ times in length to vent in males, 4^ to 5 times in females ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with obtuse canthus. Pilens 2 to 2^ times as long as broad. Neck as bi'oad as the head or a little narrower. Hind limb reaching the elbow or the axil in 10 Lacertid:e. females, the axil, the shoulder, or the collar in males ; foot \\ to 1^ times as long as head ; toes slender, compressed. Tail 2 to 2| times as long as head and body. Nostril separated from the upper labial and the postnasal hy a narrow rim ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture J to f the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long and broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals forming a short median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout or a little shorter, 1| to 2 times as long as broad, angular or rounded in front, narrower behind, not or but feebly grooved ; parietals 1| to 1| times as long as broad; interparietal 2 to ^ times as long as broad, in contact with the occipital, which is usually broader and about half as long. 4 supraoculars, first small and sometimes broken up into 2 or 3, as often as not in contact with the frontal, second and third large and equal or second a little longer, fourth small and usually broken up into 2 or 3 ; 6 or 7 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series of granules, or first in contact with the first and second supraoculars. Lower eyelid somewhat transparent, with feelily enlarged scales in the middle, some of which may be deeper than the others. Rostral not entering the nostril ; a single postnasal ; anterior loreal shorter than the second ; 5, rarely 4* upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above. A long, narrow upper temporal, usually in contact with the fourth supraocular, usually followed ]>y one or two small shields ; temporal scales very small and granular above, much larger beneath ; a curved tympanic shield. 4 pairs of chin-shields, sometimes followed by a small fifth, first three in contact in the middle; 21 to 28 gular scales in a straight line in the middle, granular in front, gradually or abruptly enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; no gular f(5ld. Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 7 to 10 (exceptionally 4) plates. Scales granular and smooth on the nape, rhombic and keeled on the body ; 2 or 4 series of hexagonal plates along the back, more or less strongly keeled, rarely faintly keeled ; 33 to 40 plates and scales across the middle of the body ; 12 to 18 large keeled scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates in 6 longi- tudinal and 27 to 32 transverse series (27 to 30 in males, 30 to 32 in females), the border of the transverse series feebly notched between the plates, the median pair of which is narrower than the others. Preanal plates small and irregular, or two or three enlarged ones in the middle, in a longitudinal series, or three forming a triangle. * 4 in two specimens only. PhUochorfiis 11 12 to 18 femoral pores on each side. 24 to 30 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales in alternately somewhat longer and shorter whorls, upper oblique, strongly and diagonally keeled, rounded or obtusely pointed behind, lower keeled ; 24 to 28 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Young black on the upper surface of the body, with 6 yellow streaks, the median pair diverging towards the occiput, to embrace an additional pair of short streaks, or each streak bifurcating just before reaching the occiput ; the upper lateral streak extends from behind the eye to the base of the tail, passing above the tympanum, the lower from the upper lip, through the tympanum and above the fore limb, to the thigh ; head and upper surface of fore limbs brown, hind limbs and tail coral-red, throat and belly white. These markings may persist more or less distinct in the adult, which vary much in colour ; the blackish bands between the light streaks may be much spotted with whitish, or broken up into spots, or the upper parts may be grey, brown or reddish with 7 blackish longitudinal streaks (9 behind the occiput), or merely with two series of blackish spots on each side. Tail often reddish towards the end. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. .5. From end of snout to vent 71 68 56 85 53 ,, ,, fore limb 27 25 20 25 17 Length of head 18 17 13 17 11 Width of head 11 11 8 12 7 Depth of head 9 8 6-5 9 6 Fore limb 24 24 18 26 16 Hind limb 42 42 29 45 29 Foot 22 23 16 25 15 Tail 175 180 145 200 — 1. (^, Wagga. 2, 3. cj. Berbei ■a. 4, 5. 9 (gravid). Berbera Parficnlar, of Sj ecimens Examined. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. S Wagga 76 40 30 9 28 16-14 26 71 34 29 9 27 18-17 30 52 36 28 7 24 14 27 9 „ . ■ ■ 57 38 30 7 26 14-16 27 rf Berbera 43 34 27 9 22 12 28 „ Inland of Berbera 68 40 28 9 27 16 29 68 37 29 9 25 16-15 27 (^ Inland of lierlun-a Lace rt idee 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. (i. 7. . 56 36 ■29 11 25 14 28 ,55 39 29 8 25 15-14 27 . 55 36 28 10 24 14-15 24 53 36 29 4 23 14 28 . 53 34 28 8 23 14-13 26 51 40 27 9 26 13 29 85 36 30 7 25 14-15 26 . 85 37 32 8 26 16-15 29 . 80 36 30 9 24 15-14 28 . 75 37 30 9 25 16-15 29 71 39 31 10 28 17-16 30 67 40 30 9 24 15 28 ■ 58 34 30 9 25 14 27 . 55 39 31 8 23 13 28 . 53 33 30 10 21 15-13 25 . 51 36 30 8 23 14-13 29 Hahifat. — Northern Sonialiland at and near Berbera. 5. PHILOCHOETUS HAEDEG-GEEI. Latastia Jiardeggeri, Steiud. Anu. Hofmus. Wien, vi, 1891, p. 371, pi. xi ; Bouleug. Zool. Eec. 1893, Eept. p. 23 ; Toruier, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii, 1905, p. 375. Ereniias heterolejiis, Boettg. Zool. Auz. 1893, pp. 115, 193. Latantia decjeni, Bouleng. Anu. & Mag. N. H. (7) xi, 1903, p. 55. Philochorlus Jiardeggeri, Bouleug. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1917, p. 154, pi. ii, figs. 4, 5. Head and body rather depressed. Head about H times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4^ to 5 times in length to vent ; snout pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with rather sharp canthus. Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head or a little narrower. Hind limb reaching the shoulder, the collar, or between the collar and the ear ; foot If to If times as long as head ; toes slender, compressed. Tail 2f to 3^ times as long as head and body. Nostril between three shields, or separated from the upper labial and the postnasal by a narrow rim ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture J; to | the length of the frontonasal, which is much broader than long, and broader than the inter narial space ; prefrontals forming a short median suture ; frontal as long as its F/iilochortus. 13 distance from the eud of the snout or a little shorter, 1| to If times as long as broad, angular or rounded in front, narrower behind, distinctly grooved ; parietals IJ to 1| times as long as In-oad, in contact with the upper postocular ; interparietal extremely narrow, in contact with or narrowly separated from the very small occipital.* Two large supraoculars, subequal or anterior the shorter, entirely surrounded by a series of grauules,t of which larger ones represent the first and fourth supraoculars ; 5 or 6 superciliaries. Lower eyelid somewhat transparent, with feebly enlarged scales in the middle, some of which may be deeper than the others. Eostral not entering the nostril ; a single postnasal ; anterior loreal shorter than second ; 5 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above. A long, narrow upper temporal, followed by a shorter shield ; temporal scales very small and granular above, much larger beneath ; a small curved tympanic shield usually present. 4 pairs of chin-shields, first three in contact in the middle ; 25 to 28 gular scales in a straight line in the middle, granular in front, gradu- ally or abruptly enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 7 or 8 plates. Scales granular and smooth behind the occiput, rhombic, subimbri cate, and keeled on the body ; 4 or 6 series of hexagonal, strongly keeled plates along the back, 8 between the hind limbs. 24 to 28J plates and scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 6 longitudinal and 27 to 30 transverse series, the border of the transverse series feebly notched between the plates, the median pair of which is narrower than the others. Preanal plates small and irregular, or one enlarged. 11 to 13 femoral pores on each side. 25 to 31 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales in nearly ec^ual whorls, upper oblique, strongly and diagonally keeled, pointed and more or less distinctly mucronate behind, lower keeled, except the basals ; 22 to 28 scales in the foui-th or fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Young black above with five yellowish white longitudinal streaks, the median bifurcating on the nape, the two laterals as in the preceding- species ; head and limbs browm above, hind limbs with round white spots : throat and belly white, lower surface of hind limbs and tail coral-red. Adult brown above, with a more or less distinct yellow vertebral streak, * A small shield between the interparietal and the occipital in one young- specimen. t In one of the two type specimens described by Steindachner the circle of granules is incomplete, the supraoculars being in contact with the frontal. X 30 in the type of Eremias heterolepis, according to Boettger. 14 Lacertidie. liifurcatiuf,^ on the uape and extending some way down the tail, each of the dorsal plates with a small blackish spot ; sides of body pale greyish brown, with a series of lai'ge blackish spots or bars ; lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, fore liml) Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind liml) Foot Tail 1. ro 23 14 10 7 •22 42 22 180 70 24 14 9 8 22 38 21 170 3. 56 19 13 8 6 18 34 18 155 1. (j',Berbera. 2. 9 , Berbera. 3. 9 , Mandah (type of L. r/egre/ii) • Particulars of Sjjecimens Examined. J Berl^era ,, Maudah 1. 2. 70 24 70 65 26 3. 27 26 30 56 28 24 30 28 28 26 6. 11 11 12-13 11 7. 26 25 28 31 Habitat. — Northern Somaliland. The type specimens, preserved in the Vienna Museum, are from between Hensa and Artu. This species is distinguished from the two preceding liy the lower number of plates and scales across the body, and by the nearly constant presence of a series of granules between the supraoculars and the frontal ; also by the light vertebral streak. 5. LATASTIA. Latastia, Bedriaga, Ann. Mus. Geneva, xx, 1884, p. 307 ; Lataste, op. cit. (2), ii, 1885, p. 125. Latastia, part., Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 54 (1887). Ajiathya, Mc'hely, Termesz. Koslon, Budapest, Ixxxv, 1907, p. 26, and Ann. Mus. Hung, vii, 1909, p. 426. Head-shields normal. Nostril pierced between three to five shields and bordered by the first upper labial or narrowly separated from it. Lower eyelid scaly, a trans- Latastia. 15 parent disc, if present, formed of several scales. Collar well marked. Dorsal scales small and' juxtaposed or rather large, imbricate, and graduating into the caudals ; ventral plates not or but feebly imbricate, with truncate or straight posterior border, smooth. Digits feebly compressed, with keeled lamellar scales inferiorly. Femoral pores. Tail long, cylindrical. South-western Asia, North-eastern and Tropical Africa. All the species have retained the parietal f orameu, and the pterygoid teeth are absent or reduced to a few. There are two superposed post- nasals, or even three in some specimens of L. axjipadocica. This genus forms a connexion between Lacerta and Acanfhodacfyhis and falls into two principal groups, or sections, which appear to have been derived independently from two sections of the genus Lacerta, as mentioned in dealing with L. cappadocica, the unique representative of Apathya, regarded as generically distinct by Mchely. Mehely has attached a great importance to the number of keels uuder the digits in separating Apathya from Latastia, but the distinc- tive character would not hold good in the genera AcanthodadyHs and Ophiops, where I find a great variation in the keels in specimens of A. vulgaris and 0. viicrolepis, some having a single median keel on the subdigital lamella?, others two or three. The keels also vary accord- ing to the species in the genus JEremias in the sense in which it is usually taken. Synopsis of the Species. I. Latastia, s. str. Lower eyelid opaque ; frontal grooved, at least anteriorly ; subdigital lamellae biearinate. A. Dorsal scales not larger than the laterals, much smaller than the basal caudals, 25 to 40 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. 1. 39 to 52 scales across the middle of the body ; no group of small plates in the middle of the pectoral region. a. Dorsal scales sharply keeled. No gular fold ; edge of collar serrated ; 13 to 16 femoral pores on each side L. johnstonii, Blgr., p. 16. A gular fold ; edge of collar even ; 10 to 14 femoral pores on each side . L. siebenrocM, Torn., p. 19. b. Dorsal scales not sharply keeled. Scales feebly but very distinctly keeled ; 9 to 11 plates in the collar ; 12 to 14 femoral jwres on each side L. buHi, Blgr., p. 20. \Q Lacertidn'. Scales smooth or very olitusoly keeled ; 6 to 8 plates in the collar ; 10 or 11 femoral pores on each side. L. boscx, Bedr., p 22. Scales feebly but very distinctly keeled ; 5 to 8 plates in the collar ; 8 or 9 femoral pores on each side. L. wachei, Wern., p. 24. 2. 52 to 80 scales across the middle of the body, visually 55 to 65, more or less strongly keeled ; a group of small irregular plates usually present in the middle of the pectoral region ; 5 to 16 femoral pores on each side ..... L. longicaudata, Reuss, p. 25. B. Dorsal scales larger than the laterals, gradating into the caudals, 45 to 52 across the middle of the body ; 7 to 11 femoral pores on each side . . . L. carinata, Peters, p. 32. II. Apathya, Mehely. Lower eyelid with a transparent disc formed of 6 to 8 scales : frontal not grooved ; subdigital lamellas uni- carinate ; dorsal scales granular and smooth, 67 to 74 across the middle of the body ; 19 to 25 femoral pores on each side ........ L. cappadocica, Wern., p. 34. 1. LATASTIA JOHNSTONII. Latastia johnstonii, Bouleiig. Auu. & Mag. N. H. (7) xix, 1907, p. 392 ; Steruf. Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berl. v, 1911, p. 417. Eremias nitida (uou Griinth.). Hevritt & Power, Tr. R. Soc. S. Afr. iii, 1913, p. 156. Latastia kirdwelU, Bouleug. Tr. R. Soc. S. Afr. v, 1919, p. o9. Body moderately depressed. Head rather depressed, 1| to If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tymjDanum, its length 3f to 4|- times in length to vent in males, 4^ to 4^ times in females ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with sharp canthus and vertical, grooved loreal region. Pileus ll- to 2r times as long as broad, the shields often rather rugose. Neck as broad as the head. Hind limb reach- ing the shoulder or the collar in males, the axil or the shoulder in females ; foot I-3- to Ih times as long as the head ; toes slender, com- pressed. Tail 2 to 2f times as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between 3 or 4 shields, the nasal sometimes forming a narrow rim separating it from the first upper labial ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture i to f the length of the fronto- nasal, which is much broader than long and broader than the inter- narial space ; prefrontals forming a median suture, sometimes with a small azygos shield between them ; frontal as long as or a little shorter or a little longer than its distance from the end of the snout, 1 h to 2 times as long as broad, rounded in front, much narrower behind, grooved along Lafastia. -in tJie anterior f or throughout; parietals U to 1| times as long as r f n 'r°'' '' ''' «™^^S'"^t« ^'^ the side for the accommoda- tion of the first upper temporal ; interparietal narrow, 2 to 3 times as long as broad 2 to 3 times as long as the occipital, from which it is d 'dedT/t /■' ""'" ^'"^'- ^ -P--ulars, first small or d ided mto 2 or 3, m contact with the frontal, second and third large, equal, fourth small or divided into small shields or granules 6 supemhanes, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series' of mTddl! ^T\ '^f ^^P^^^^' ^'th vertically enlarged scales in the alro 1 ^^f'T^^^^f^-g- the nostril; 2 superposed postnasals; anterior loreal i to ^ the length of the second ; 5 or 6 upper labials (exceptionally 4) anterior to the subocular, which is mucwirote: beneath than above and sometimes has the lower portion detached to form an additional shield; a large upper temporal, Sometimes followed b) a second smaller shield; temporal scales granular; a verv narrow tympanic shield. • ^ P^"'^/f,^hiu.shields, and a very small fifth, first three in contact m the -iddle ; 25 to 31 scales in a straight line between the synX of the chm-shields and the median collar-plate, granular in front mcreasingin size and imbricate towards the collar; no gular fold! Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 7 to 10 plates Scales strongly keeled, granular on the nape, rhombic and feebly inibncate on the body, larger and sometimes smooth towards th ventral plates, 39 to 52 across the middle of the body, 25 to 35 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates with the posero-mner angle obliquely truncate, in 8 longitudinal series, those of the median pair much narrower than those next to them, the outer- most very narrow ; 23 to 26 transverse series in males, 26 to 29 in femaes. Usually two large preanal plates, one before the other- sometimes three, one in front and two behind or the reverse, with smaller plates or scales around them; sometimes all small and the median in pairs. A series of 7 or 8 large transverse plates under the forearm. Scales on upper surface of tibia keeled, smaller than dorsals. 13 to 16 femoral pores on each side. Subdigital lamelte bicarinate, 22 to 25 under the fourth toe. - i-u ^o Caudal scales more or less distinctly in alternately longer and shorter whorls, upper oblique, truncate, strongly and diagonally keeled, lower less strongly keeled; 26 to 30 scales in the fourth whorl behind the postanal granules. Two black, light-edged streaks along the back; a black vertebral streak on the nape, sometimes continued down the whole leno-th of the VOL. II. ° 18 LacertidiB. body ; sides of neck and body with numerous irregular vertical black bars, crossed by two whitish streaks from behiud the eye, the upper passing above the tympanum, to the tail, where they are separated by a dark band ; blue spots sometimes present on the sides, between the black bars. Lower parts white. The female specimen from Eldorado, Southern Khodesia, is brown above, with 8 light streaks on the neck in front and 7 behind, these streaks more indistinct on the body ; series of black spots between them on the sides. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind linil) Foot Tail 1. S, Nyika Plateau (type). 2. $, Masuka Plateau (type). 3—4. $ , Morogoro. 6. $ , Eldorado (type of L. kirdivelli). Particulars (^ Nyika Plateau, Nyassa- laud (type) . „ Masuka Plateau, Nyassa- land (type) . „ Morogoro, E. Africa, N.M. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 60 47 62 53 48 20 18 20 19 17 14 12 14 12 11 8 7 8 7 7 6-5 6 7 6 6 17 16 18 16 15 34 30 33 28 27 19 17 19 16 15 160 120 120 115 . — N.M. N.M. „ Eldorado, S. Rhodesia (type of L. kirdwelli), McG. M. . ofSj ecimeiis Examined 1. 2- 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 60 50 25 9 29 15 22 5 48 52 26 7 31 15-16 23 6-5 53 47 23 8 27 15-16 24 5-6 51 51 26 7 29 15 25 5 51 48 24 8 28 15 24 5 47 50 25 7 27 14 24 5 62 47 29 8 27 15-14 24 6 57 48 28 8 29 15 23 5-6 57 46 29 8 26 14 23 5-6 67 47 27 8 27 16 24 5 53 39 28 8 27 14 22 5-4 49 46 29 8 28 14 23 5 48 42 26 10 25 13-14 23 5 Lafastia. 19 1. Len-rth to vent (in millimetres). 2. Scales across middle of body. 3. Transverse series of ventral plates. 4. Plates in collar. 5. Giilar scales in a straight series between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate. 6. Femoral pores (right and left if differing in number). 7. Lamellar scales under fourth toe. S. Upper labials anterior to the subocular. This explanation applies also to the tables given for the other species of the genus. Hahitat.— This species was originally described from two male specimens from Nyassaland, altitude about 2000 metres, presented to the British Museum by Sir Harry Johnston. It has since been recorded by Sternfeld from Portuguese East Africa. I have recently examined 16 specimens collected by Mr. A. Loveridge at Morogoro in ex-German East Africa. This series shows that the lizard from Southern Rhodesia which I described as L. Urchvelli cannot be regarded as more than a colour-variation of L. johnstonii. 2. LATASTIA SIEBENEOCKI. Eremias siebenrochi, Toruier, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii, 1905, p. 386. Latastia siebenrochi, Nieden,Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berl. vii, 1913, p. 77. Apparently closely allied to L. johnstonii and similar to it in the shields round the nostril. Snout elongate and rather pointed. Hind limb reaching the axil. Frontonasal about as long as broad or broader than long ; frontal longitudinally grooved ; interparietal about twice as long as broad, sometimes separated from the occipital by a small shield! 4 supra- oculars, all in contact with the frontal; 6 supereiliaries. 5 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is but little narrowed inferiorly. Two elongate upper temporals; temporal scales granular, lower larger ; a large tympanic shield. A gular fold ; collar even-edged, composed of 8 plates. Dorsal scales narrow, sharply keeled, 40 to 48 across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 8 longitudinal series, outer small, median pair not narrower than the others ; 28 to 32 transverse series. Two large preanal plates, one in front of the other. 10 to 14 femoral pores on each side. Caudal scales all strongly keeled. Brown above, with darker streaks bearing black transverse spots ; a white streak from the outer corner of the parietal to the base of the tail, where it unites with its fellow ; two white lateral streaks, the upper from the eye, touching the upper border of the ear-opening, to the tail, the lower, from the upper lip to the thigh, passing above^'the shoulder. 20 Lacertidie. Habitat.— The type in the Berlin Museum is from Porto Novo, Slave Coast, Guinea; other specimens referred to the same species have been obtained on the Eldame Eiver and at Tabora, East Africa. Appears to be well distinguished from L. jolmstonii by the presence of a gular fold, the even-edged collar, the shape of the frontonasal shield, and the arrangement of the light streaks. The lizard from the Brussa Valley, north of Lake Stephanie, described as Eremias neumanni by Tornier, t. c. p. 376, appears to differ only in having 2 supraoculars instead of 4. The following is an abstract of the original description : Snout rather pointed, nasals not swollen. Nostril between three shields, a nasal and two postnasals, the lower of which does not reach the rostral ; nasals in contact with each other behind the rostral ; frontonasal broader than long ; prefrontals forming a median suture ; a deep groove along the frontal; interparietal 1| times as long as broad, separated from the occipital by a small shield. Two large supraoculars, preceded and followed by small scales, and separated from the superciliaries by a series of granules. 5 or 6 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is but little nan-ower beneath and borders the mouth. Two elongate upper temporals. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the two anterior in contact in the middle. A distinct gular fold. Collar fi'ee, formed of 10 plates. Scales sharply keeled, pointed, subimbricate, 46 across the body. Ventral plates in 8 straight longitudinal and 26 transverse series. Two i-ather large preanal plates, one in front of the other. 11 femoral pores on each side. Caudal scales strongly keeled. The hind limb reaches the collar. Tail more than twice as long as head and body. Back greyish brown with black spots ; a white dorsolateral streak, uniting with its fellow on the base of the tail ; two white lateral streaks, broken up into spots on the body, the upper from behind the eye, bordering the tympanum above, the lower from the upper lip, bordering the tympanum below ; a black V)and between these two streaks, bearing 8 blue spots. The type is preserved in the Berlin Museum. 3. LATASTIA BUEII. Latastia huril, Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xix, 1907, p. 393. Body much depressed. Head much depressed, flat above, nearly twice as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the posterior corner of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 times in Latastia. 21 length to vent ; snout acutely pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with sharp canthus and vertical, grooved loreal region. Pileus 2| times as long as broad. Neck broader than the head. Hind limb reaching between the collar and the ear ; foot li times as long as the head ; toes slender, compressed. Tail twice as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between 4 shields ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture | the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long and broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals forming a median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, If times as long as broad, angular in front, much narrower behind, grooved in front ; parietals 1| times as long as broad ; interparietal Ij times as long as broad, separated from the very small occipital Ijy a small shield. Two large equal supraoculars, the first and fourth broken up into 2 or 3 small shields, the iirst in contact with the frontal ; 6 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series of granules. Lower eyelid opaque, with a series of vertically enlarged scales in the middle. Rostral not entering the nostril ; 2 superposed postnasals ; anterior loreal not quite half as long as second ; 5 or 6 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is much narrower beneath than above. 3 or 4 upper temporals, first narrow and elongate and in contact with the disintegrated fourth supraocular ; temporal scales granular, smaller than dorsals ; a very narrow tympanic shield. 4 pairs of chin-shields, first three in contact in the middle ; 29 or 30 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, granular in front, increasing in size and subimbricate towards the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with very feebly serrated edge, composed of 9 to 11 plates. Scales granular on the nape, hexagonal, juxtaposed, feebly keeled on the body, 42 to 45 across the middle of the body, 32 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates scarcely overlapping, with nearly straight posterior border, in 6 or 8 longitudinal and 23 to 25 transverse series ; the plates of the two median series not or but little narrower than the others. A large preanal plate, with a smaller one in front of it. A series of 7 large transverse plates under the forearm. Scales on upper surface of tibia similar to the dorsals. 12 to 14 femoral pores on each side. Subdigital lamellaj bicarinate, 24 or 25 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales in subequal whorls, upper oblique, truncate, strongly and diagonally keeled, lower, in the basal part of the tail, smooth ; 26 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. 22 Lacerti(hv. Bluish grey in front, pale reddish brown behind ; 3 black streaks along the nape and two on each side of the postocular part of the head and of the neck, the lower passing through the tympanum ; the median nuchal and the two lateral streaks continued on the body, fading to reddish-brown behind. Lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent .... 52 „ „ „ fore limb ... 19 Length of head . . . . . .13 Width of head 7 Depth of head - . 4 Fore limb .16 Hind liml) 32 Foot 17 Tail 105 This species is known from two male si^ecimens obtained by Mr. G. W. Bury near Berbera, Somaliland (altitude under 100 m.). It conies nearest to L. bosc^i'. 4. LATASTIA BOSC^. Latastia boscai, Bedriaga, Ann. Mus. Clenova, xx, 1884, p. 322 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 56 (1887), and Ann. Mus. Genova (3) v, 1912, p. 330. Body rather depressed. Head rather strongly depressed. If to nearly 2 times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 to 4^ times in length to vent ; snout pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with sharp canthus and vertical, grooved loreal region. Pileus 2 to 2.} times as long as broad. Neck as broad as head. Hind limb reaching the axil or the collar ; foot L' times as long as the head; toes slender, compressed. Tail 2 to 2^ times the length of head and body. Nostril pierced between 4 shields ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture i to | the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long and broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals forming a median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the rostral or from the end of the snout, 1^ times as long as bi-oad, rounded in front, much narrower behind, grooved in its anterior half ; parietal H to If times as long as broad ; interparietal 2 to 2^ times as long as broad ; occipital ^ or barely I as long as the interparietal, from which it may be separated by a small shield. 4 supraoculars. Latasfia. 23 first small, divided into two, and in contact with tlie frontal, second and third equal, fourth small and sometimes divided into two ; 7 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series of granules. Lower eyelid opaque, with slightly enlarged scales in the middle. Rostral not entering the nostril ; 2 superposed postnasals ; anterior loreal half as long as the second ; 5 or 6 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is much narrower beneath than above. 2 or 3 upper temporals, first narrow and elongate and in contact with the fourth supraocular, or separated from it by a granule ; temporal scales granular, smaller than largest dorsals ; a distinct, narrow tympanic shield. 4 pairs of chin-shields, first three in contact in the middle ; 27 to 31 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, granular in front, increasing in size and imbricate towards the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with feebly serrated edge, composed of 6 to 8 plates. Scales granular on the nape, oval or oval-hexagonal on the body, obtusely keeled on the posterior part of the body, larger and smooth towards the ventrals, 42 to 46 across the middle of the body, about 30 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates with the postero-inner angle obliquely truncate, in 6 longitudinal series, those of the median pair much narrower than the others ; 25 to 28 transverse series. Preanal plate moderately large, bordered by a semicircle of small plates. A series of 6 large transverse plates under the forearm. Scales on upper surface of tibia small, strongly keeled. 10 or 11 femoral pores on each side. Subdigital lamellse bicarinate, 24 or 25 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales in equal whorls, upper oblicj[ue, truncate, strongly and diagonally keeled, lower smooth ; 26 to 32 scales in the fourth whorl. The type specimens are pale brown above, with three dark brown longitudinal streaks and, on each side, two broader black bands originating behind the eye, the upper sometimes extending to the nostril after passing through the eye ; the lateral bands separated by a yellowish streak ; flanks black with a series of round yellowish spots. The specimen from Dolo in the British Museum is uniform pale brown above, with a dark brown lateral band. Lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. <?. ?. ?■ From end of snout to vent 50 50 48 ,, ,, ,, fore limb 21 19 19 24 1,2. Lacertidse. 1. 2_ 3. s. 9- ?. Length of head 12 11 12 Width of head 7 6-5 7 Depth of head 5 4-5 5 Fore limb 17 16 16 Hind limb 32 27 31 Foot 16 14 16 Tail 100 103 130 Types. 3. Dole. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 50 42 26 8 28 10 25 6- 50 46 28 7 31 10-11 24 6 48 44 25 6 27 10 24 5 Particulars of Specimens Examined. ^ Cherau, Bogos (type), G.M. 9 Rugdeia Sogheira, Bogos (type), G.M. . 9 Dolo, Somalilaud Habitat. — Originally described from Eritrea (Adal and Bogos countries), this lizard has since also been found in Somaliland at Dolo. L. hoscie differs from L. bitrii in the less strongly depressed head, the more convex and less distinctly keeled dorsal scales, the uneven border of the transverse series of ventral plates, the presence of a single large preanal plate, and the lower number of femoral pores. 5. LATASTIA WACHEl. Lat,astia ivachei, Werner, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. xxx, 1913, p. 16. Apparently very similar to L. hoscie. Hind limb reaching to midv/ay between the collar and the ear-opening. Tail 2} times as long as head and body. Frontal feebly grooved in front ; a small shield sometimes separates the interparietal from the occipital ; first supraocular divided into two ; upper temporal single or divided into three or four ; 6 anterior upper labials. 5 to 8 plates in the collar. Scales obtusely but very distinctly keeled, 39 to 42 across the middle of the body. Ventral jalates in 6 longitudinal series, of nearly equal width, and 24 transverse series. A large preanal plate bordered by a semicircle of smaller plates, or two, one in front of the other. 8 or 9 femoral pores on each side. Greyish brown above, with or without four darker dorsal streaks. Lafastia. 25 and with more or less distinct dark vertical bars ou the sides ; a white streak from the eye to the shoulder, passing above the tympanum, then broken up into round spots, and disappearing half-way down the body ; a second series of larger round white spots from below the tympanum to a little beyond the shoulder. Lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent .... 45 Length of head . . . . . . 11 Width of head 6-5 Fore limb 15 Hind limb 27 Tail 102 This lizard is only known to me from Werner's description of three specimens from the Dii*e-Dana district and Harrar, in Abyssinia. Werner compares it to L. johnstonii and L. burii, but it seems to me, from the description, to be nearer L. hoscee, and I am even doubtful whether it deserves to be specifically separated from it. 6. LATASTIA LONGICAUDATA. Lacerta Inngicaudata, Eeuss, Mus. Senck. i, p. 29 (1834). Lacerta samharica, Blauf. Zool. Abyss, jj. 449, fig. (1870). Lacerta sturti, Blanf. op. cit. p. 452, fig. Eremias revoili, Vaill. Miss. Ri-voil Pays Qomal., Eept. p. 20, pi. iii, fig. 2 (1882). Latastia doriai, Bedriaga, Ann. Mus. Genova, xx, 1884, p. 313. Latastia doriai, var. tnartensi, Bedriaga, t. c. p. 316. Lafastia samharica, Bedriaga, t.c. p. 319. Latastia longicaudata, Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 55 (1887) ; Ann. Mus. Genova (2) xii, 1891, p. 7. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1895, p. 535, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) xvi, 1896, p. 551, and xvii, 1896, p. 17; Anders. Zool. Egypt, Kept. p. 143, pi. xix (1898) ; Steiud. Deukschr. Ak. Wien, Ixix, 1900, p. 329 ; Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii, p. 144; Tornier, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxii, 1905, p. 373 ; O. Neumann, t. c. p. 393 ; Werner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, cxvi, i, 1907, p. 1844; Pellegr. Bull. Mus. Paris, 1909, p. 413 ; Sternf. in Schubotz, Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. Z. Afr. Exped. iv, p. 223 (1912) ; Werner, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. xxx, 1913, p. 42 ; Barbour, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washingt. xxvi, 1913, p. 146. Body feebly depressed. Head feebly depressed, H to If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 to 4i times in length to vent in males, 4 to 4.] times in females ; snout •2(i LacerticlcV. narrow, obtusely pointed, a little louyer than the postocular part of the head, with sharp canthus and nearly vertical, concave loreal region. Pileus '2H; to 21 times as long- as broad. Neck as broad as or broader than the head. Hind limb reaching the shoulder, the collar, between the collar and the ear, or, rarely, the ear ; foot 1^ to If times as long as the head ; toes slender, feebly compressed. Tail rather flattened at the base, 2 to a little over 3 times the length of head and body. Nostril pierced between 3 or 4 shields, the nasal sometimes forming a narrow rim separating it from the upper labial ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture | to i the length of the fronto- nasal, which is liroader than long and broader than the iuternarial space ; prefrontals forming a median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the rostral or from the end of the snout, 1} to 2 times as long as broad, rounded in front, narrow behind, grooved in its anterior half or | ; parietals H to 1 J times as long as broad, lateral border sometimes slightly emarginate in front for the accommodation of the anterior temporal ; interparietal 1} to 2 J- times as long as broad, often separated from the occipital by one or two small shields, rarely* bv the parietals meeting iu the middle ; occipital small, \ to i the length of the interparietal, sometimes a little broader. Of the 4 supra- oculars the first, which is always in contact with the frontal, and the fourth are nearly constantly divided into 2 to 7 small plates or granules ; second and third large, second often a little longer than third ; 6 or 7, rarelv 5, 8 or 9 superciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series of granules. Kostral not entering the nostril ; 2 super- posed postnasals ; anterior loreal J to 7] the length of the second ; usually 6 upper labials, sometimes 5 or 7, rarely 4 or 8, upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is much narrower beneath than above. Lower eyelid opaque,t with a series of vertically enlarged scales in the middle. A long and narrow, more or less distinctly keeled upper tempoi-al, rarely divided into two, followed by one, two or more small shields, in contact with the fourth supraocular ; temporal scales very small and granular above, larger beneath ; a distinct tympanic shield ; exceptionally 3 to 5 projecting scales form a denticulation iu front of the ear-opening. 4 or 5 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact iu the middle ; 28 to 47 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate ; no gular fold. Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 7 to 14 plates, usually IM to 12. * Male from Lugh, half-grown from Abu Ushar. f Bedriaga says of his L. doricf, var. martensi, " Das untere Aiigenlid ist meistens diirchsichtig," but I am unable to confirm this statement from the specimens at my disposal. Lafa^tia. '27 Scales granular on the nape, larger, oval-liexagoual or rhombic, juxtaposed, and obtusely or more or less strongly keeled* on the fjody, the scales a little larger and smooth towards the belly ; 52 to 80 scales across the middle of the body, usually 55 to 65, 28 to 40 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates overlapping, with the postero-inner angle obliquely truncate, in 6, rarely 8, longitudinal series, the plates sometimes nearly ecjual in the 6 series, sometimes increasing in width from the median to the outer ; if in 8 series, the outer plates small ; 25 to 33 transverse series, usually 26 to 29 in males, 29 to 31 in females ; a group of 5 to 29 small irregular jalates usually present in the middle of the pectoral region. Males usually with an enlarged preanal plate, about twice as broad as long, with numerous small plates in front and on the sides ; females with the preanal region covered with small irregular plates. A series of 6 to 9 large transverse plates under the forearm, some- times divided into two series. Scales on upper surface of tibia rhoml)ic, keeled, usually smaller than dorsals. 5 to 16 femoral pores on each side, the reduction in the number taking place from the distal end, the series often restricted to the basal third or half of the thigh.f Sub- digital lamellse bicarinate, 22 to 28 under the fourth toe, usually 23 to 27.t Caudal scales in subequal or alternately somewhat longer and shorter whorls, uj^j^er rather oblique and diagonally and strongly keeled, truncate behind, lower smooth on the basal part of the tail ; 30 to 38 scales in the fourth or fifth whorls behind the small postanal scales. The coloration varies enormously. The ground colour varies from pale grey to brown, reddish-ltrown or brick-red. Some specimens are handsomely marked with dark and light shades and spots or bars, others are of a pale greyish sand-colour, with all the markings much effaced. There may be four narrow light streaks on the upper surface of the neck and body, the outer proceeding from the super- ciliary edge, and two broader light streaks on each side, the upper originating behind the eye, jiassing above the tympanum, and extending to the base of the tail, the lower from the upper lip, passing through . * The degree of carinatioii varies considei-ably, irrespective of other charac- ters, the keels being- often more feeble in females than in males ; the most obtnse keels are fovmd in a female from Joba, Abyssinia, which, in this respect, hardly differs from L. hoscse. t This striking range of variation is nearly paralleled in Eremia lineo-ocellata. X A specimen from Sheik Othman, near Aden, with 32, stands perfectly- isolated ; bnt no other specimens are known from that locality to connect -with the lower numbers, 25 to 28, recorded from El Kubar, also in S.W. Arabia. 28 LacertldcV. the tynipanuni and above the fore limb to the thiyh, ou the posterior side bf which it reappears and is continued ou the base of the tail. These light streaks may be brokeu up into regular series of spots, either ou the back aud sides or only ou the sides, where they may be separated by narrow blackish bars ; series of black spots may run between them, as well as a series of blue, black-edged ocelli between the two lateral streaks, or they may be crossed on the back and sides by more or less regular, straight or wavy blackish bars. Very fre- (jueutly there is a dark brown or black vertebral streak, extending from the occiput to the base of the tail, or disappearing or brokeu up into a series of spots on the posterior part of the body. In other speci- mens there is no trace of either light or dark longitudinal streaks, and the back is irregularly spotted or reticulated with brown or black, and the sides of the head, neck and body are barred with black aud white or liluish grey. A dark band usually runs along the side of the tail. The following description of fresh specimens of the typical form from the African littoral of the Eed Sea is given by Anderson : " Olive-brown above, variegated with reddish brown. A rich, dark brown, narrow vertebral line from the occiput to the base of the tail, aud three rich* reddish longitudinal, but more or less interrupted bauds external to it. marked at intervals with brown spots and forming vertical brownish bars on the sides of the body and neck, enclosing bluish and yellow interspaces, which assume the form of ocelli. Sides of the head also more or less marked wath vertical bars, and likewise the ujDper labials. Sides of the tail yellowish, with a dusky longitudinal band. Under surfaces white. Males much more brilliantly coloured than the females." O. Neumann mentions a half-grown specimen from Modjo, Somali- land, in which the back is uniformly red, as in the so-called variety erythronota of Lacerta agilis. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. ■1. 5. 0. 7. 8. 'J. From end of 3Uout to veut 94 103 107 S3 85 74 100 74 86 „ „ „ fore limb 39 38 43 34 34 31 38 31 33 Length of liead 23 23 24 20 21 19 24 18 19 Width of head .... 14 14 14 12 13 12-6 16 11 12 Depth of head .... 12 12 18 10 11 10 12 9 10 Fore limb 32 31 34 29 28 24 32 25 26 Hind limb .... 03 59 62 53 52 45 63 50 49 Foot 31 30 32 25 25 24 33 27 24 Tail 290 270 — 250 205 — 320 210 195 1. <J, Durrur. 2. $, Suakin. 3. (^ , Samhar Coast (type of L. faniharica). 4. 9; Komayli Pass (type of L. i^furti). 5. (^ , Lafastia. 29 Eugdeia Sogheira (type of L. clorin'). 6. (^ , Kereu (type of L. cloriie, var. martensi). 7. J, Sheikh Othmau. 8. J', El Kubar. 9. $, El Kubar. I have stated above that the femoral pores number from 5 to 16 on each side — a most unusual range of variation, which gives rise to suspicion that two or more species are included in this definition. Bedriaga has long ago proposed to separate the specimens with 5 to 8 pores (L. cloriie, Bedr. = revoili, Vaill.) from those with 11 or 12 {L. samJiarica, Blanf. =: longicauclata, Keuss), but specimens with 9 or 10 pores have since been found to fill up the gap between the supposed species, and it is now known that the pores vary between 9 and 13 in individuals from the same locality. The character which was thought to go hand in hand with the reduced number of pores, viz. the small irregular plates on the pectoral region, believed to be 6 to 13 as against a lower number in the specimens with 11 or 12 pores, proves to be worthless, as I count from 6 to 29 in the specimens with 5 to 8 pores and 5 to 24 in those with 9 or more (6 to 18 in the specimens from Suakin and Durrur). As I have been unable to find any characters either in the scaling or in the markings to support the distinction based on the femoral pores, I must retain the species in the comprehensive sense indicated by the above synonymy. Yet the range of variation in the femoral pores is certainly restricted according to localities, as shown by the series from the African littoral of the Eed Sea, the inland districts of Eritrea, S.W. Arabia, and Somali- land ; and although there is no gap in the number of pores between 5 and 16, a tabulation of the material at my disposal shows the numbers 6, 12 and 15 to be culminating points which establish a discontinuous variation. Number of po 5 6 cases 6 28 „ 7 19 „ 8 13 „ 9 8 „ 10 13 „ 11 15 „ 12 22 „ 13 5 „ 14 3 „ 15 4 „ 16 2 „ The three types thus indicated may be recognised as ill-defined varieties. There remains some difficulty with regard to the specimens 30 Lacert'idiv. from the southernmost extremity of the range (Gallaland and East Africa) ; as, from my own counts and those of Sterufeld, the pores number 8 to 10, 9 being the most frequent number, I place them provisionally under the var. revoili. Forma ti/jjica {L. longicaudata, Keuss, samharica, Blauf., sturti, Blanf.). 9 to 14 femoral pores on each side, usually 10 to 12 ; 31 to 41 f;ular scales; 23 to 27 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. — Siuaitic Peninsula, African Coast of the Red Sea, Al)yssinia, Senegal, Northern Nigeria and Lake Chad district. Var. andersonii, Blgr. (i. longicaudata, And. 1901). 14 to 16 femoral pores ou each side ; 43 to 47 gular scales ; 26 to 32 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. — S.W. Arabia. Var. revoili, Vaill. (L. doriie, Bedr.). 5 to 10 femoral pores ou each side, usually 6 to 9 ; 28 to 48 gular scales ; 22 to 27 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. — Inland districts of Eritrea, Eastern Sudan, Abyssinia, Soraaliland, G-allaland, British East Africa. These definitions will probably have to be modified when a larger number of specimens have been examined, and it is possible that the division into varieties, as here proposed, will have to be abandoned. But they express correctly, I think, the present state of our knowledge. Particulars of Specimens Examined. Forma typica. 9 Durrur, N. of Suakiu ^ Suakiu t^ Sinkat, nr. Suakin . 9 Shendi, Egypt. Sudan . ^ Samhar Coast, Eritrea (type of L. samharica) . 1. 2_ 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 94 63 29 13 40 12-13 26 6 94 60 26 12 39 12 27 6 94 60 29 13 38 10-12 27 7 98 58 30 10 35 11 26 6 97 62 81 10 34 12 27 6 95 55 31 11 39 10 26 7-(^ 110 59 29 10 32 12 26 6-7 105 55 30 11 35 10 24 6-7 105 64 29 10" 37 10-9 26 7-6 100 57 28 11 31 11 23 6 98 58 29 9 35 12 26 6-7 98 60 27 10 36 11 23 6-5 103 62 30 10 41 13 26 (') 68 56 29 10 41 12-11 26 6-5 90 65 27 12 36 11 25 6 98 57 31 10 35 12 24 7 90 52 30 12 34 12-11 23 6 107 58 28 12 33 11 26 7-6 93 59 28 9 37 10-11 27 6 Lafastia. 31 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 Komayli Pass, Eritrea (type of L. sturti) . 83 61 28 14 38 12 25 5 c? Ohok, P.M. . . . 95 80 29 15 40 14 25 6-5 ? „ „ . . . 96 58 29 11 40 12 26 5 „„„... 94 64 28 11 31 12-11 25 5-6 Hgr. Obbia-Ber)iera, Somali- land . . • .55 52 30 9 36 13-12 27 6 ^ Dungass, French Sudau, P.M 63 56 26 8 34 12-11 26 6 „ Katagum, N. Nigeria . 70 55 30 7 35 12-11 25 6 Var. andersonii. ^ Sheik Othmau, iir. Aden 100 6'S 29 9 46 16 32 5 „ El Kubar, S.W. Arabia 74 61 27 10 43 16-14 27 5-6 ? „ „ 86 58 33 9 47 15 25 6-8 77 57 29 9 45 15 28 6-7 Var. revoili. ^ Eugdeia Sogheira, Adal (type of L. doriai) . 85 64 28 10 'S9 6 25 6 ,, Keren, Bogos (type of L. viartensi) . . 74 55 26 9 32 6 24 5 . 70 55 28 10 28 6 24 5-4 . 64 55 28 8 31 7 23 6 Hgr. Abu Ushar, Blue Nile 53 58 27 9 35 6 24 6 ? Joba, Abyssinia . . 74 56 29 10 30 5 23 5 „ TaddekaMuUka, Abyssinia 84 62 32 10 47 7 26 6 „ . 80 66 31 10 43 6 25 6 . „ S. Abyssinia . . . 66 61 30 9 . 39 6 23 5-6 S Somaliland (type), P.M. m 59 28 12 35 7 25 6 ? „ „ „ . 74 58 30 10 33 7 25 6 „ . 66 60 28 8 40 6 26 6 c? Berbera, Somaliland . 83 63 29 14 40 7 26 6 . 80 64 25 10 44 10 26 6 . 96 57 25 12 37 6 24 Q-7 . 89 54 26 12 36 7 26 6 . 83 65 30 12 40 6 26 5 . 75 65 29 10 36 6 23 6 S Inland of Berbera . . 88 58 26 12 45 10 27 6-5 „ Wagga, ur. Berbera . 80 60 27 9 48 6 24 6 32 Lacertiih B. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. K 8. 2 Wags^a, iir. Berbera 85 64 32 7 46 7 26 6 „ Brara, Somaliland, G.M. 83 70 30 9 35 8 25 6 ^ Maudah. 88 56 26 11 44 5 24 6-5 9 ,. ,. 83 60 29 11 39 5 23 6 1^ Zaila, 66 60 30 11 47 6 25 6 „ Lug-h, 70 65 26 9 40 7 25 6 Hgr. „ 55 61 29 11 41 8 27 6 S Shebeli-Juba . 77 55 27 10 45 10-9 26 6 9 Takauugu, Coast of E. Africa .... 77 60 29 10 37 8-9 25 6-7 (J Steppes N. of Fuladya, Kenia, E. Africa . 89 60 27 9 35 9-10 23 6 9 Mbuugi, E. Africa, N.M. 73 58 31 11 38 9 25 7-6 „ Dodoma, ., ,, . 100 65 28 10 45 8 23 5 M • 88 63 30 11 41 9 25 5 84 64 30 10 42 9 25 5 Hi;T. Lake Stephanie . 51 55 27 9 32 9-8 25 5-6 In addition to the above specimens, I have examined the types of Lacerta Joncjicaudata, from Tor, Sinaitic Peninsula, preserved in the Senckenberg Museum. Ifafeifai.— Sinaitic Peninsula, S.W. Arabia, West Coast of the Ked Sea, Egyptian Sudan, Abyssinia, Somaliland, Gallaland, East Africa, Senegal, Northern Nigeria, and Lake Chad district. 7. LATASTIA CAEINATA. Lacerta carmata, Peters, Mon. Berl. Ac. 1874, p. 368, pi. — , fig. 1. Latastia carinata, Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 56 (1887), and Ann. Mus. Genova (2) xvii, 1896, p. 17. Body feebly depressed. Head feebly depressed, If to 1} times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner of the eye and the tympanum, its length 34 to 4 times in length to vent ; snout narrow, pointed, a little longer than postocular part of head, with sharp canthus and nearly vertical, concave loreal region. Pileus 2i times as long as broad. Neck a little narrower than the head. Hind limb reaching between the collar and the ear-opeuiug ; foot 1| times as long as head ; toes slender, feebly compressed. Tail 2 to nearly 2| times as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between 4 shields ; nasals forming a suture behind the rostral, the suture -3 to i the length of the frontonasal, which is Lataslia. 33 broader than loug and much broader than the iuteruarial space ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, 1^^ to 2 times as long as broad, rounded in front, narrow behind, grooved in its anterior two-thirds ; parietals ll to nearly 2 times as long as broad ; interparietal nearly twice as long as broad, twice as long as the occipital, which is a little broader. 4 supraoculars, first and fourth nearly equal in size, if not broken up, the former forming a suture with the frontal, second slightly longer than third ; 6 super- ciliaries, sepai'ated from the supraoculars by a complete series of granules. Rostral not entering the nostril ; 2 superposed postnasals ; anterior loreal not half as long as second ; 6 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is much narrower beneath than above. Lower eyelid opaque, with vertically enlarged scales in the middle. A long and narrow, keeled upper temporal, in contact with the fourth supra- ocular, followed by two small shields ; temporal scales very small, granular ; a distinct tympanic shield ; three triangular enlarged scales forming a denticulation in front of the ear-opening. 4 pairs of large chin-shields, followed by a small fifth, first three in contact in the middle. 36 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, granular iu front, enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with strongly serrated edge, composed of 14 plates. Scales granular on the nape, larger and olitusely keeled on the anterior part of the back, gradually enlarged, rhombic, imbricate and strongly and diagonally keeled on the posterior part of the back, gradually merging into the caudal scales ; lateral scales smaller, more obtusely keeled ; 45 to 52 scales across the middle of the body, 22 or 23 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates overlapping, with the postero-inuer angle obliquely truncate, in 6 or 8 longitudinal and 27 transverse series, the plates of the outer series, if present, small ; a central group of 10 small plates on the pectoral region. Preanal plate rather small, twice as broad as long, surrounded by numerous smaller, irregular plates. A series of 7 large transverse plates under the forearm. Scales on upper surface of tibia rhombic, keeled, smaller than largest dorsals. 7 to 11 femoral pores on each side, the series confined to the basal half of the thigh. 24 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales forming alternately longer and shorter whorls, upper oblique and diagonally and strongly keeled, truncate behind, lower smooth ; 30 scales in the fifth whorl. Greyish yellow sand-colour above, with faint markings in the form of 8 light streaks or series of light spots and a darker lateral band VOL. II. 3 34 Lacertidie. from the tyin}iaiiuiu to aliove the tliigh, the l)aii(l with traces of round blue spots ; limbs with round liyht spots. Lower parts white. A specimen in the Genoa Museum is golden above, with 6 longitudinal series of partly confluent small jjale blue spots, and blackish vertical bars between the two outer series of blue spots. Measuri'ments (in niilliuietres) : <?. From end of snout to vent .... 95 ,, ,, ,, fore limb ... 40 Length of head . . . . . .23 Width of head 14 Depth of head . . . . . .12 Fore limb 32 Hind limb 55 Foot 29 Tail 195 The type s[)ecimen, which I have examined in the Berlin Museum, is from Brava, Somaliland. I have seen a second specimen, also from Brava, preserved in the Genoa Museum. A male specimen obtained at Berbera, Somaliland, by Mr. E. Lort Phillips in 1898, was presented by him to the British Museum. 8. LATASTIA CAPPADOCICA. Lacerta cappadocica, Werner, Sitzb. Ak. Wien, cxi, 1902, p. 1086, id Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xix, 1903, p. 232, pi. xxiii, tigs. I, 2, and pi. xxiv, figs. 6, 9, 13 ; Steind. Ann. Hofmus. Wien, xx, 1905, p. 308. Apafhya cappadocica, Mi'hely, Teruu'sz. KOslon, Budapest, Ixxxv, 1907, p. 20, and Ann. Mus. Hung, vii, 190!», p. 431, pi. xi, figs. 1, 2, 4-7, and pi. xii, figs. 1-7. Lataslmcappadocica, Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) xx, 1907, p. 45. Body rather depressed. Head much depressed, flat above, about 1^ times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 3^: to a little over 4 times in length to vent ; snout narrow, obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head ; cheeks rather swollen in the males. Pdeus 2^ to 2.\ times as long as broad. Neck as broad as or Ijroader than the head. Hind limb reaching the shoulder or the collar in males,* the axil in females ; foot a little longer than the head ; toes slender, feebly compressed. Tail twice or a little over twicef as long as head and body, tapering from the base, very slender posteriorly. * Or to between the collar and the ear, according to Meliely. t Up to 2; times, according;- to Mt^liely. an Latastia. 35 Nostril pierced between 4 to 6 shields ; uasals formiiig a suture behind the rostral, the suture } to } the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long* ; prefrontals forming a median suture ; frontal shorter than its distajice from the end of the snout, 1^ to H times as long as broad, rounded in front, much narrower behind ; parietals If to 2 times as long as broad ; interparietal 1} to 2^ times' as long as broad ; occipital shorter and usually much liroader than the interparietal.t 4 supraoculars, first small and in contact with the frontal, + sometimes broken up into 2 or 3 granules, second and third equal, fourth small but larger than first, and sometimes also broken up ; 6, rarely 7, superciliaries, second usually longest, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series of granules. Lower eyelid with a transparent disc formed of 6 to 8 large scales. Eostral not enter- ing the nostril, often separated from it by a small shield ; 2 or 3 postnasals ; 3 loreals, first small and often forming a triangle with the two postnasals, sometimes fused with the upper postnasal, second as long as or shorter than third ; 5 upper labials§ anterior to the sub-' ocular, which is narrower beneath than above. Two or three narrow upper temporals, first long and in contact with the fourth supraocular ; temporal scales granular, not larger than dorsals ; a distinct tympanic shield. 5 jiairs of chin-Bhields,|| first three in contact in the middle; 27 to 30 gular scales^ between the symphysis of the chiu-shields and the median collar-plate ; gular fold absent or very indistinct. Collar with entire edge, composed of 8 to 12 plates. Dorsal scales granular, round or oval, smooth, rather larger and flatter towards the ventrals, 67 to 71** across the middle of the body. Ventral plates scarcely overlapping, with straight posterior border, 1)roader than long, in 6 longitudinal and 28 or 29 transverse seriesft ; sometimes with enlarged lateral scales forming an incomplete addi- tional series on each side. Preanal plate small, broader than long, liordered by 3 or 4 series of scales, or broken up into several scales. "" A short series of 4 or 5 feebly enlarged transverse plates under the forearm. Upper surface of limbs covered with granular scales. 20 * Longitudinally divided into two in a female from Hassan Gassi. t Separated from it ))y a small shield in the same female from Hassan Gassi. t With rare exceptions, according to Mehely. § Very rarely 6, according to Mehely. II Or 6, according to Steindachner. f 2-tto 33, usually 27 to 31, according to Jlehely. ** Up to 7-i, according to Mehely. +t 27 (o 29 in males, 29 or oO in females, according to Mehely. 36 Iiaceriulse. to 24* femoral pores ou each side. Subdiyital lamellae uuicarinate, 24 to 26 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales truncate, upper oblique, obtusely keeled, the median pair, both above and beneath, sometimes a little broader than the others ; 22 to 26 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Young greyish white, largely reticulated with black, and with a black latei'al liand, the ground-colour apj^earing as round spots. Adult grey or greyish brown, with the dorsal reticulation fading away or replaced by two series of irregular spots along the back, or by black cross-bars on the posterior part of the body ; the black lateral baud with small white spots on the neck and small white and large round blue spots on the body ; a more or less distinct white streak from behind the eye to the shoulder, passing through the tympanum, sometimes continued on the side of the body ; head with l)lack spots; limbs with round white spots ; tail uniform, except at the base ; lower parts white. Tail blue in the young. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. From end of snout to vent 16 63 m )> ,, ,, fore liml) 31 26 23 Length of head 20 17 16 Width of head 13 11 10 Depth of head 9 8 7 Fore limb 28 23 23 Hind limb 45 38 37 Foot 23 20 19 Tail 150 135 — 1. (^,Adaua. 2. (5" > Hassan Gassi. 3. 9 , Hassan Gassi. FartkuJars of 8^ ^ecimens E.mm'n ed. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. ^ Adana 76 69 29 12 28 22-23 24 „ Hassan G-assi 63 68 29 9 29 24-22 26 9 ■ „ m 71 28 9 30 19-20 24 Tg. Kaisarieh . 44 68 29 12 27 22 26 ,, Dumbalagh Dagh 38 67 29 8 30 22-21 24 Table as in the preceding, minus column 8. Habitat. — The Karaman Province of Asia Minor up to 2000 m. altitude. The types described by Werner are from the Erdshias Mountains in Cappadocia. * 19 to 25, according to Mehely. The male from Adana has an additional series of minute pores. Acanthodactylus. 37 A specimen labelled as from Mesopotamia is preserved iu the Basle Museum. L. cappadocica has much iu common with Laceria danfordii, as recognized by Werner and by Mi'hely. It is probably derived from the Podarcis group of the genus Lacerta, whilst the other species of Latastia appear to show greater affinity with Laceria s. str. How- ever, the black ))arriug on the back and the large blue spots on the sides are features also frequent in Latastia loncjicaudata, and might be used as an argument against the suggested diphyletic origin of the genus as here understood. 6. ACANTHODACTYLUS. Acanthodactylus, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. p. 10 (1834) ; Duni. & Bibr. Erp. Gen. v, p. 205 (1839); C4ray, Cat. Liz. p. 36 (1845); Schreib. Herp. Eur. p. 383 (1875) ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1878, p. 181 ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) ii, 1885, pp. 125, 477 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 58 (1887); Anders. Zool. Egvpt, Eept'. p. 147 (1898) ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 143. Scapfeira, part., Gray, Ann. N. H. i, 1838, p. 280. Ida, part., Gray, t.c. p. 281. Meroles, part.. Gray, t.c. p. 282. Head-shields normal, but occipital rudimentary or absent. Nostril pierced between two nasals and the first upper labial. Collar distinct. Dorsal scales small and juxtaposed or large and imbricate; ventral plates feebly imbricate, with truncate posterior border, smooth. Digits cylindrical or feebly compressed, with keeled lamellar scales inferiorly and serrated or pectinate laterally. Femoral pores. Tail long, cylindrical. Spain and Portugal, Africa north of the Equator, Southern Asia eastward to North-western India. The parietal foramen is constantly present and teeth are absent on the palate. Although, from a morphological standpoint, Acanthodactylus is connected with Lacerta through Latastia, it appears quite certain to me that none of the species grouped under the latter genus can be regarded as leading to it. The striation characteristic of most of the Acanthodactylus in their juvenile livery is of a kind that points to descent from a more primitive tyjje, perhaps related to the genus 38 Lacerii(lR\ Nucras. As Lac erf a is prol)ahly derived from Nucras, we may imagine some primitive form, no longer in existence, but possessing the generic characters of the former, to have given rise to this genus, characterized bv the lateral denticulation of the digits, as an adaptation to life on a sandy soil. In the less specialized forms, constituting the first group of the following classification, there are three series of scales round the digits, as in some specimens of Lacerta {L. agilis, for instance) in which the subdigital lamella3 are divided into two ; the serration of the inner side of the digit, if present, is produced by the antero-outer angle of the dorsal scale, whilst the outer denticulation or fringe, sometimes very strongly develojjed, is formed by a distinct series of scales, much narrower than the upper and lower. In the species of the second group the serration on the inner side of the fingers is produced by a series of scales similar to that of the outer side, there being four series round the digit. This character was first pointed out by Lataste, and Anderson has further dwelt on its importance for the definition of species. The group with three series of scales round the fingers is un- doubtedly the more primitive, the nearer to Lacerta. But among its constituents there is not one that can be regarded as the most generalized in all respects, as the survivor of the species from which the others were derived. Looking upon the feeble denticulation of the toes combined with the large size and small number of ventral plates as primitive, we find A. vulgaris and^l. triKtranii to realize the original condition, whilst on the other hand, the disintegration, in these two species, of the first and fourth supraocular shields points to a derivation from a form like A. schreiberi. A combination of the characters of A. tristnnui and A. schreiberi would produce the ideal prototype of Acanthodactylus; and it is interesting to find, in connexion with the question of the original home of the genus, that both these species are Syrian. It is remarkable that the habitat of the nearest ally of A. tristrami, A. vulgaris, should be so remote, at the westernmost extremity of the range of the genus. I have no better explanation to offer for the fact than extinction of the original forms in the intervening area, but it is not without parallel in the distribution of animals and plants* ; other instances are well known to all herpetologists.f * For a list of plants, cf. Engler, Versuch einer Eiitwiekeluno-sgeschichte der Pflanzenwelt, i, p. 53 (1879). t The genera Clemmys, Blanus, Pelodyles, Molge derjuyini and ilf. as/ieca, Pelobates syriants and P. cultripes ; above all the discontinuous range of Testudo ibera and Vipera lebetina are striking examples. Acanthodacfylns. 39 The proba])le derivation of A. houefi, the southerimiost African species, from the northern A. viihjaris is entirely iu accordance with the views I have expressed on the dispersal of the Lacertidse. I have stated above that the striation of the young of some of the lizards of this g-euus is more primitive than that of any of the Lacerta. This view is based on the uum1)er of w^hite streaks on the neck, which may be as high as ten in some A. vulgaris and A. pardalis (6 dorsal and a pair of lateral on each side), and it is a suggestive fact, in this connexion, that, on morphological grounds, A. tudgaris is considered as, on the whole, the most generalized species of the genus (the young of A. trisframi is still unknown), whilst in the most extreme species at the other end of the series, A. scuteUatus, the light streaks, if present, are not more than 6 in number (4 dorsal and 2 lateral). The distinction of species in this genus is a matter of considerable difficulty, owing to the great variability in nearly all the characters which have hitherto been used for the purpose, and the solution of the problem must for the present rest on the taste and judgment of the systematist. In the following revision I have utilized a very large material (over 700 specimens j, and the results of long study, at intervals, for 40 years. If I have erred in uniting too many forms under one species, I cannot incur the reproach of increasing the confusion by doing so, as subordinate categories have been freely recognized under the term "variety." In making use of the following synopsis for the identification of specimens, difficulty may arise as to the exact number of longitudinal series of ventral plates. It is often perplexing to count these series, owing to a gradual passage, on the sides of the body, of the plates into the enlarged scales ; for this reason the numl)ers given by me are not always in accordance with those of other authors. According to the system followed throughout in this family, I reckon as ventral plates such of the outer series, whatever their width, as are as long as those of the other longitudinal series. It sometimes happens, however, that in one or two transverse series there is one plate more on one side of the body than on the other ; in such cases I have not reckoned the extra plate. Si/noj)sis of the Species. I. Three series of scales romid tlie fiiiu-ers and toes. A. Only one or two large supraoculars, the (primarily) first and fourth, or first, second and foiirtli, usually broken up into numerous small plates or granules (the first rarely into 2 or 3 plates only) ; sub- ocular often bordering the mouth ; dorsal scales small ; ventral 40 Lacertidie. plates in 8 or 10 (rarely 12) longitudinal series; hind limb not reachinL;- the ear. 1. Toes very feel)ly pectinate on both sides. Two larufc supraoculars ; dorsal scales smooth or keeled, iipper caudals strongly keeled ; 18 to 30 femoral pores on each side. A. ruhjaris, I). & B., p. 41. Two lar!4;e supraocvilars ; dorsal and basal caudal scales perfectly smooth ; 18 to 24 femoral pores on each side . A. tristrami, Gthr., p. 53. A sing-le large supraocular ; dorsal and upper caudal scales strongly keeled : 14 to 18 femoral i^ores on each side. A. loueti, Chaban., p. 55. 2. Outer edge of fovirth toe strongly pectinate ; two large supraoculars ; dorsal and upper caudal scales strongly keeled ; 19 to 2S femoral pores on each side . . .A. savigmii, Aud., p. 57. B. Three (rarely two) large supraoculars, the first frequently divided into two or three, or separated from the second by a series of granules ; dorsal scales small ; toes usually feebly pectinate on both sides, or a little more strongly on the outer side of the fourth toe. Ventral plates in 12 or 14 (rarely 16) longitudinal series ; sub- ocular very rarely bordering the mouth ; hind limb rarely reaching the ear (males) ; foot 1 to 1^ times length of head. A. pardalis, Lieht., p. 62. Ventral plates in 10 longitudinal series; subocular usvially bordering the mouth ; hind limb reaching the ear or the eye; foot I3- to li times length of head . A. micropholis, Blanf., p. 76. C. Usually four large supraoculars, but first or fourth sometimes broken up ; posterior dorsal scales imbricate ; ventral plates in 10 (rarely 8 or 12) longitudinal series ; fourth toe more or less strongly pectinate on oviter side. Dorsal scales small, obtusely or more or less strongly keeled, 18 to 26 in a transverse series between the hind limbs; first supraocular always entire . . . . A. schreiheri, Blgr., p. 78. Posterior dorsal scales large and strongly keeled, 8 to 16 in a transverse series between the hind limbs . A. boskianus, Daud., p. 83. II. Four series of scales round the fingers, three round the toes ; three or four large supraoculars, the first rarely broken up. A. Ventral plates in 12 to 16 straight longitudinal series ; jjosterior dorsal scales very large, imbricate, and strongly keeled, 10 to 16 in a transverse series between the hind limbs ; outer edge of fourth toe strongly pectinate . . . .A. cantoris, Gthr., p. 91. B. Ventral plates not forming straight longitudinal series ; dorsal scales small, 18 or more in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Scales more or less distinctly keeled; ventral plates in 12 to 16 longitudinal series ; snout acutely pointed ; foot longer than head ; outer edge of fourth toe strongly pectinate A. scutellafus, Aud., p. 97. Acantlwdactylns. 41 Scales strony;-]y keeled on the posterior part of the body ; ventral plates in 10 longitudinal series : snout obtusely pointed ; foot longer than head ; outer edge of fourth toe strongly pectinate. A. fraseri, Blgr., p. 111. Scales smooth; ventral plates in M to 18 longitudinal series; foot not or but slightly longer than head ; toes feebly pecti- nate ^.^)-«»rf/i', Blgr, p. 113. 1. ACANTHODACTYLUS VULGAEIS. Lacerta velox (non Pall.), M.-Edw. Auu. Sc. Nat. xvi, 1829, pp. 78, 85, pi. vi, fig. 7, and pi. vii, fig. 4 ; Duges, i.e. p. 383, pi. xv, fig. 6. Lacerta erythrura, Schiuz, Naturg. Rept. p. 102, pi. xxxviii (1833). Acanthodacfi/lus vuh/aris, Duni. & Bibr. Erp. Geu. v, p. 268 (1839) ; Guicheu. Explor. Sc. Alg., Eept. p. 13 (1850) ; Straueh, Erp. Alg. p. 35 (1862) ; Schreib. Herp. Eur. p. 390 (1875) ; Bouleug. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1878, p. 195; Bedriaga, Arch. f. Nat. 1879, p. 335; Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 747, pi. Ixiv, fig. 4; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) ii, 1885. p. 477 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. G7 (1887) ; Bedriaga, Ampli. Rept. Portug. p. 00 (1889) ; Bouleug. Tr. Zool. Soc. xiii, 1891, p. 131; Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1892, p. 15; Koenig, Sitzb. Niederrhein. Ges. Bonn, 1892, p. 20 ; Perreira, Jorn. Sc. Lisb. (2) ii, 1892, p. 188; Doumergue, Erp. Orau. p. 186 (1901) ; Schreib. Herp. Eur., Ed. 2, p. 353 (1912) ; Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1916, p. 232 ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 146. Acanihodadylus lineomacuJatns, Dum. & Bibr. t.c. p. 276 ; Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 37 (1845) ; Straueh, op. cit. p. 37 ; Boettg. Abh. Senek. Ges. ix, 1873, p. 129 ; Schreil). op. cit. p. 385 ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1878, p. 191, and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 747; Boettg. Abh. Seuck. Ges. xiii, 1883, p. 114. Lacerta pardalis (non Lieht.), Schleg. in Wagn. Reise Alg. iii, p. 115 (1841). Acaidhodacfijlus hoschianus, Bonap. Icon. Faun. Ital., Anif. (1841). Acanfhodacfijlus velox. Gray, Cat. Liz. p. oij (1845j ; Bosca, Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1880, p. 272. Acanthodact ylits helllt, Gray, I.e. Acanthodactylus vulgaris, var. litieomaculafiis, Lataste, I.e. ; Dou- mergue, op. cit. p. 187, pi. iv, figs. 1-7; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool, France, 1918, p. 149. Acanthodactylus vuhjaris, var. bocaijii, Ferreira, t.c. p. 194. Acanthodactylus savhjiiyi, var., Doumergue, op. cit. \). 183. Acanthodactylus hlanci, Doumergue, op. cit. p. 184, pi. xiii, figs. 1-5. Acanthodaclylus vuhjavis, vars. tinyitanus, mauretanlcns, Isourensis, Doumergue, op. cit. p. 187. 42 Lacertidn'. AcanfhoihictyhiK viilri<irii', vars. heUi, aflanficn, mivuritanicn, hlanci, Bouleiit?. Bull. Soc. Zool. Franco, 1918, p. 149. In the broad sense, A. vulgaris embraces all the individuals combining the following characters : Small dorsal scales, ventral plates much broader than long and in 8 or 10 longitudinal series, strongly keeled upper caudal scales, fee1)ly denticulated digits, and the first and fourth supraoculars more or less broken up into small shields and granules.* Like all Acanthodactyls with an extensive range, it varies considerably, and mav be divided into several rather ill-defined geographical forms. In order to avoid confusion, the following description is drawn up exclusivelv from Spanish and Portugese specimens, which represent the typical A. vulgaris of Dunu'ril and Biln-on. The distinctive features of the varieties, together with the numerical variation shown by the material at my disposal, will be dealt with afterwards. Habit rather robust, l)ody moderately elongate, decidedly depressed.! Head 1^ to l.V times as long as broad, its length of to 4 times in length to vent in males, 4 to 4^, times in females, its depth equal to the distance Ijetween the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and tvmpaunm ; a lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as the postocular part of the head, with rather sharp canthns and feeljly concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus twice as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head. The hind limb reaches the shoulder or the ear, usuallv lietween these two points, in males, the axil or between the shoulder and the ear in females; foot li to 1? times as long as the head; fourth toe, from the ])ase of the fifth, as long as the head, or a little longer (up to 11. times), or a trifle shorter. Tail 1? to 2 times as long as head and liody. Upper head-shields convex, sometimes rugose in the adult. Suture jjetween the nasals ^^ to }, the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long, and a little broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals longer than Ijroad and forming a median suture^ ; frontal * Scales across ?niddle of body 50 to 72 ; transverse series of ventral plates 28 to :?3 ; gnlar scales 21 to 32 ; femoral pores 18 to 30 ; lamellas under fourth toe 18 to 25. t Bedriai,'a (1889) says '' tronc . . . arrondi on k'gin-enient deprime." In specimens preserved in spirit the depth of the body is usually li to 1| times in the width, and in life, according to the same authority (1879), these lizards " platten sich, sobald der oeringste [Sonnen] Stratil in ihren Kiifig fiillt, ganz ab." X A small azygos prefrontal in a male from Oiudad Eeal and in a young from Tabernas de Valldigna. Acant/iodactylus. 43 as long as its distance from the end of the snout, 2 to 2.\ times as long as broad, rounded or truncate in front, narrow liehind ; parietals as long as broad or broader than long, outer border straight or concave. Two large supraoculars (the second and third of typical Lacertids) jireceded and followed by small shields and granules (the first supra- ocular often represented by 2 or 3 naiTOw shields), and l)ordered on the outer side by a single series of granules, rarely by tw^o incomplete series; the anterior supraocular as long as or a little longer than -its distance from the second loreal ; 6 or 7, rarely 8, superciliaries, first longest.* Anterior loreal as long as or shorter than the second ; 4 upper labials, rarely 5 to 7,t anterior to the centre of the eye ; sub- ocular sharply keeled lielow the eye, narrowly liordering the mouth or wedged in between the fourth and fifth, or rarely fifth and sixth upper labials, + One or two large upper temporals§ ; temporal scales granular, convex or very obtusely keeled, upper minute, lower much larger ; a very small tympanic shield sometimes present ; auricular denticulation absent or very slightly indicated. Usually 5 pairs of chin-shields,|| the three first in contact in the middle, 25 to 33 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, gradually enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold absent or merely indicated. Collar free, curved or angular, composed of 9 to 12 plates. Scales granular and smooth on the nape, roundish-su))rhomboidal and smooth or feelily keeled on the back, a little smaller on the upper part of the sides, largest towards the ventrals, often subimbricate and distinctly or even strongly keeled towards the tail ; 58 to (58 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and transverse series, all except the outermost much broader than long, the largest fully twice as broad as long, in 10, rarely 8, longitudinal and 28 to 33 transverse series. 2 to 5 enlarged preanal plates in a median series, the last always much broader than long. 21 to 28 femoral pores on each side, the two series meeting in the middle. * In contact with tlie prefrontal in a male from Ciudad Eeal. t 7 in the specimen from Abrantes. — The French specimen figured hy Milne- Edwards is represented as having 5. X It is usually stated that the suboeular borders the mouth in this species, and this is true as concerns the type specimens, but it is so in only 20 out of the 44 cases examined by me. § Separated from the parietals by grannies in a male from Valencia. II 6 on one side in a male from Valencia, and in two young from Tabernas de Valldigna ; 7 pairs, the 4 anterior in contact in the middle, in the specimen from Abrantes. 44 Larertlrlie. Dio-its with 3 series of scales, very fee])ly denticulate on each side ; 20 to 25 uni-, bi-, or tricariuate lanielltB under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales very oblique, strongly and diagonally keeled, those at the base broader than long, lower smooth in the Jiasal part of the tail ; 22 to 32 scales in the fourth or tifth whorl. The young are elegantly striated with black and yellowish white. 5 white dorsal streaks, the outer proceeding from the superciliary edge, and extending along the basal third of the tail, the median, which is sometimes liifurcate just ))efore reaching the occiput, ending between the hind limits, the pair next to it uniting into a single streak on the base of the tail ; 2 white streaks on each side, the upper from behind the eye to the base of the thigh, bordering the tympanum aliove and interrupted behind the collar-fold, rea})pearing on the base of the tail, the lower from below the tympanum to the base of the arm and along the side of the l)e]ly; series of round yellowish-white spots sometimes present along the ))lack interspaces. Head pale greyish-brown above, with l)lack spots and a continuation of the outer dorsal black band on to the supraoculars ; two black bands on the temple ; upper lip with black spots. Upper surface of limbs black, with large round yellowish- white spots. Tail and lower surface of thighs l)right red.* Throat and belly white. In exceptional cases the white vertebral streak splits up into two, and there are then 10 light streaks, 3 dorsals and 2 laterals on each side ; in others, the white vertebral streak persists on the nape but is absent on the body, the median pair uniting on the base of the tail. The number of light streaks on the body may therefore be 10, 9 or 8. Traces of the light streaks may persist in the adult, sometimes pale grev, finely edged with darker, or become transformed into chains of round whitish dark-edged spots ; large irregular black spots, or black bands with round white spots, may occupy the spaces between the light streaks, or the markings may almost entirely disappear, the upper parts being grey, greyish-brown, or copper-colour. The red colour sometimes persists, faded to pink or pinkish, on the lower surface of the tail. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, tore limb . Length of head ..... Width of head • The tail of the young A. vuhjaris has been compared by Bedriaga to the autenua of a boiled lobster. 72 74 27 26 17 17 12 12 Acanthodactyhts. 45 1. 2. Depth of head . 10 9 Fore limb . 27 26 Hiud limb . 46 42 Foot . . • . 22 20 Tail . 133 120 1. c?, Ciudad Real. -1. $ , Valencia. Hahitaf. — Saudy aud rocky arid tracts in Spain (Provinces Leon, Old Castille, New Castille, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia) and Portugal (Estreniadura, Alg'arve). The occurrence of this lizard in the South of France is doulitful. A few specimens are stated to liave been found in the departments Herault aud Gard in the first half of the last century, but the lizard has not been rediscovered since, any more than in the neighbouring part of Italy, notwithstanding Bonaparte's state- ment.* Var. BELLI, Gray (vars. vulgaris, lisourensis, Doum.). The form generally distriViuted in North Algeria agrees in all essential characters with the tyjjical form, except that the subocular appears to border the mouth constantly, and to a greater extent. The scales on the back are likewise juxtaposed and convex aud may be either nearly smooth or rather strongly keeled, with every gradation between the two exti'emes. Suture l)etween the nasals very short, f rarely more that \ the length of the frontonasal, which is very rarely divided into two:[: ; an azygos prefrontal very rai'ely present§ ; disintegration of the first supraocular sometimes restricted to a division into two shields, or one shield aud one granule 1 1 ; the distance between the second loreal aud the anterior large supraocular often much less and never more than the length of the latter ; suliocular entering the labial border between the fourth and fifth u[)per labials ; tympanic shield nearly always present and some- times rather large. Tail 1^ to If times as long as head and body. 58 to 70 scales across the middle of the body. 20 to 30 femoral pores on each side. 18 to 23 lamellse under the fourth toe. * " Habitat in Hispania, in Gallia meridional! et finitima Italia niaritima." Honaparte, Aniph. Eur. p. 38 (1840). t Kostral forming a narrow suture with the frontonasal in one of the types of A. belli. t In a young from Algiers. § In a female from Algiers. il As in a male from Sersou. 46 Lu cert idee. The tv|)(\s of tlii.s variety are youiiLC from Algiers which do not differ in their liverv from the typical form. The yellow verteliral streak may be restricted to the nape or extend to the lumbar region, bifur- cating on the nape. Adult often grey or greyish-brown above, some- times coppery brown, with a series of square or transverse black spots on each side of the liack, a dorsolateral and a lateral series of round white spots, and between the two latter a series of large blue, black- edged ocelli, which may extend along the side of the tail* ; others are handsomely marked with more or less perfect remains of the light streaks of the young, separated by series of large black spots, except on the vertebral region, which is unspotted ; others again are almost uniform or with mere traces of the dark and light markings. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, fore limb . Length of head .... Width of head .... Depth of head .... Fore liml) ..... Hind limb ..... Foot Tail 1. (^ , Rorfa des Beni Salam. 2. $ , Bordj-bou-Arrerij. Habitat. — Coast and Plateaux of Algeria. — Pellegrin, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1909, j^- 41 o, has recorded ^1. vulcjaris from Sokoto, Northern Nigeria (Mission Tilho-Claillard) ; the young specimen, which I have examined in the Paris Museum, belongs to the var. heJli. Var. ATLANTICUS, Boulenger. I have seen three specimens only, females, from the Atlas of Morocco. They agree with the preceding variety, except that the lower part of the subocular, instead of bordering the mouth, is severed as a small shield intercalated between the fourth and fifth upper labials. Suture between the internasals \ the length of the fronto- nasal, which, in one of the sj^ecimens, is longitudinally divided into two. The scales on the Inxlyare convex, juxtaposed and feebly keeled, except towards the Itase of the tail, and there are 52 to 63 across the * A thing never observed in any of the Lacerta, in which lateral blue ocelli are frequently i^rosont, in tlie same jjosition on the liody. 68 71 25 24 17 17 12 12 10 10 24 24 40 38 22 21 110 loo Acaiifhodacti/lus. 47 middle of the Ijody. 22 to 24 femoral pot-es on each side. 21 or 22 lamellte under the fourth toe. Reddish lirown above with two grey lines along the back and two white streaks, which may l)e edged with dark grey or break up into spots, ou each side ; a median grey line on the nape in one of the specimens ; small black spots may be present between the light longi- tudinal streaks ; limbs with round, white, dark-edged spots. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ..... 74 ,, ,, ,, fore limit . . . .26 Length of head . . . . .17 Width of head 11 Depth of head 9 Fore limb 24 Hind limb 39 Foot 22 Tail 127 Two specimens were obtained by Mr. Kiggenbach in the Tamaruth Valley (altitude about 1500 m.) ; a third, labelled Atlas of Morocco, was presented to the British Museum by Mr. E. Or. B. Meade Waldo. Var. MAUEITANICUS, Doumergue. Distinguished from the var. heUl by the dorsal scales, which are flat, rhombic, sul (imbricate, and strongly keeled from the uaj^e or between the shoulders to the base of the tail, the keels sharj^ly defined, exactly as in the var. lineoniactdat/is, from which it differs in the subocular bordering the mouth, between the fourth and fifth upper labials.* Suture between the nasals J to ^ the length of the f rontonasalf ; the distance between the second loreal and the anterior supraocular sometimes longer than the latter, rarely a little shorter ; often two series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, of which there are 5 or 6, rarely 7 ; tympanic shield constantly present. Tail 1| to 1^ times as long as head and body. 53 to 65 scales across the body. 22 to 26 femoral pores. 20 to 23 lamella) under the fourth toe. « Coloration as in var. belli, but adult often with black spots on the vertebral area. Doumergue mentions a series of yellow spots ou the sides and a yellow streak just above the ventral region. Tail often pink, In-ight vermilion in females during the l)reeding season. * Douuieigue, who has examined many specimens, has met witli but a single exception. t Wliicli is longitudinally divided into two in one sjieL-imen only (S. t'luz). 1. 2. 72 n 29 30 18 18 13 13 10 11 26 25 45 39 21 19 115 — 48 Lorerfida?. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent „ ,, ,, fore limb Length of head .... Width of head .... Depth of head .... Fore limb ..... Hind limb Foot Tail 1. c^'.Guelt-es-Stal. 2. 9 , Daya. Habitat. — Oran and nei^^hbourinj;' parts of the Province ; also near Nemours and on the Plateaux. — The specimens from Telouet, Morocco, mentioned by Chabauaud, prol)ably belong to this variety. Var. BLANCl, Doumergue. Agrees with the vars. mauritanlctcs and lineomaculatus in the shape and strong cariuation of the scales on the body. Suture between the internasals ^ to i the length of the fronto- nasal, which is sometimes longitudinally divided into two* ; some- times an azygos shield incomjih^tely separating the prefrontalsf ; distance between the second loreal and the anterior supraocular exceeding the length of the latter in the adult ; usually a single series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries,+ of which there are 6 or 7 ; subocular not reaching the oral margin, § wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper labials. Tail 1^ to a little over 2 times length of head and body. 54 to 68 scales across the middle of the liody. 18 to 25 femoral pores. 19 to 23 lamelke under the fourth toe. Young lilackish aV)ove, with 4 yellow streaks along the back and two on each side, with a yellow vertebral streak confined to the nape ; series of round yellow spots along the dark bands ; head variegated with black and yellow ; tail bluish beneath at the base, decidedly blue at»the end. Adult grey or somewhat rufous, with the markings of the young much effaced ; a lateral series of yellow sjiots or ocelli. A large male in the Paris Museum has four chains of white, lilaek-edged ocelli along the back. * In two sjieciiiiens. t 111 five specimens. X In two specimens there are two. § Except in one male from Cape Bon. Acanfhodactylus. 49 Measurements (in millimetres) : S- 6- ?• ?. From end of snout to vent . .90 61 94 80 fore limb . 81 28 32 28 Length of head . . .21 18 22 18 Width of head .... 15 13 1(3 13 Depth of head . . . .13 11 13 11 Fore limh 32 27 30 27 Hind limb 57 44 54 43 Foot 28 23 27 21 Tail 165 127 155 115 The largest Acanthoclacfylus after A. grandis. Habitat. — Littoral near Tunis. Var. LINEOMACULATUS, D. & B. Head often a little more elongate than in the preceding forms, 1 J to 1| times as long as broad ; foot usually a little longer, up to If times the length of the head. Tail li to 2 times as long as head and body. Suture between the nasals J to -i, rarely |, the length of the fronto- nasal, which may be nearly as long as broad and is often divided into two by a longitudinal cleft "'■ ; very frequently one or two azygos shields between the prefrontals t ; parietals sometimes a little longer than broad ; anterior supraocular sometimes a little shorter than its distance from the posterior loreal ; often 2 or 3 series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, which are 5 or 6 in number; subocular very rarely reaching the oral border,!}: wedged in between the fourth and fifth or fifth and sixth upper labials; temporal scales often distinctly keeled; 4 or 5 scales often form a feeble but very distinct denticulation in front of the tympanum. Gular fold sometimes very distinct. § Dorsal scales rhombic, flat and subimbricate, with strong and sharply defined keels, from the nape or from between the shoulders, often passing gradually into the caudals ; sometimes a band of enlarged scales on each side of the posterior part of the back, proceeding from the basal caudals. * In 8 out of the 26 specimens before me ; in 67 p. c. of the specimens from Casablanca described by Boettger. t One in 13 specimens, two in 4; one in 27 p. c. and two in 59 p. c. of Boettger's Casablanca specimens. t Only once, and on one side onlj% in tlie specimens before me. In my description of 38 specimens from Tangier, in 1878, I stated this condition to be exceptional. § Especially in one specimen from Mogador. VOL. II. 4 60 Lacertldie. 50 to 72 scales across the middle of the body. 20 to 27 * femoral pores on each side. 20 to 23 lamellse under the fourth toe. Young with 9 yellow longitudinal streaks separated by black inter- spaces, which may bear series of round yellow spots ; the yellow vertebral streak sometimes bifurcating iu the young; limbs with large round yellow spots. These markings sometimes persist in the adult, but the light dorsal streaks, five in number, often become greyish, bearing a series of round whitish or yellowish spots, and the interspaces between them assume a greyish-brown or golden or reddish colour bearing large black spots ; the area between the outer dorsal and the upper lateral light streaks often with a series of white or blue, black-edged ocellar spots. Tail red in the young, which colour sometimes persists on the lower surface in the adult. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . ,, ,, M foi'P limb Length of head Widtli of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot . Tail . Habitat. — Moroc 70 26 17 11 9 23 40 22 130 ?. 59 22 14 9 8 21 36 20 103 CO, from Tangier to Agadir, and Plateau of Morocco This variety constitutes a link between A. vulgaris and A. savignyi Particulars of S2Jfrimens Examined. 3. 6. 8. 9. Forma typica $ Spain (type), P.M. ^ Valencia ? Yg. "„ $ Dehesa de Albi 70 68 10 31 10 31 59 64 10 31- 10 31 72 63 10 28 11 30 70 60 10 30 11 29 74 66 10 29 11 30 62 61 10 30 11 31 56 58 10 32 12 31 55 59 10 31 10 29 52 60 10 29 11 30 41 65 10 31 10 32 37 64 10 30 10 32 37 66 8 29 11 32 fera, Valencia 75 60 8 29 9 30 25 23 4 27-26 25 4 26-27 24 4 26-25 24 4 23-24 21 4 24^23 23 4 25-23 21 5-4 23-25 25 4 22-26 20. 4 21-22 20 4 27-28 23 4 27-28 25 4^5 26-28 25 4 18 to 29 according to Boettger. Acanthodacfyluh 51 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. <^ Tabernas de Valkligna . 66 60 10 29 10 31 24-26 23 4 Yg. . 40 61 10 33 10 30 26-27 23 4 ). >> . 3y 64 10 31 12 28 24-25 22 4 jj „ . 37 65 10 29 11 29 27-26 24 4 S Ciudad Real . 72 66 10 31 9 33 26-27 23 4 „ Don Benito, Badajos . 69 63 10 32 9 25 26-25 21 4 Yg. Abrantes, Portiig-al . . 44 68 10 31 10 29 24-25 21 7-( Var. belli. (J Sebdou, Prov. Oran „ Sersou Plateau . 5 Wed Sedeur (between Laghonat and Djelfa) „ Algiers Yg. „ ... " " (type of A. belli) 9 Maffray, near Bona J Setif, Prov. Constantino ? Bordj-bou-Arrerij, Prov. Con stautiue .... (J Rorfa des Beni Salam, ur. Aumale Hgr. "Wed Okris, nr. Aiiniale Var. atlanticus. ¥Tamaruth Valley, Atlas of Morocco 74 .52 10 32 10 26 69 59 10 31 11 24 „ Atlas of Morocco . . . . 65 63 10 30 10 26 Var. mauritanicus. 2 Oran (type) . g St. Denis le Sig, Oran ,, S. Cruz, Oran Hgr. „ Yg. ", " . 66 62 10 28 11 26 26-27 20 4 . 75 66 10 31 13 29 30-28 21 4 . 07 58 10 30 11 28 25-24 20 4 L . 72 59 10 31 9 29 20-21 20 4 . 70 60 10 31 10 25 21-20 19 4 . 41 69 10 31 9 25 24-26 23 4 . 34 65 10 28 10 25 23-22 20 4 . 34 70 10 29 10 24 22 19 4 . 33 64 10 29 10 24 22-20 19 4 . 75 64 10 30 12 23 25-24 19 4 . 74 62 10 30 10 24 21-22 23 4 . 70 65 10 29 11 21 26-25 20 4 . 59 61 10 29 11 23 23 19 4 . 53 60 10 30 9 23 22-23 21 4 . 71 68 10 33 10 25 21 19 4 e 68 65 10 29 10 22 22-21 20 4 . 44 67 10 30 9 25 22 18 4 2 Daya, Oran . (J La Senia, Oran . 70 63 10 31 11 25 23 21 4 63 62 10 29 11 25 23 20 4 65 63 10 28 10 26 23-24 21 4 59 58 10 28 10 24 25-26 23 4 48 60 10 29 11 31 25 22 5 47 57 10 28 11 24 24 22 4 43 63 10 28 9 25 22-23 22 4 43 65 10 30 10 27 23-24 20 5 37 58 10 32 9 28 22-24 21 4 77 55 10 30 11 27 23 21 4 74 53 10 31 12 27 24-25 22 4 59 60 10 29 9 23 25-26 20 4 62 Lacertidie. 9 La Senia, Oran . ? Kralfalla, Oran . (7 Guelt-es-Stal, C. Plateau Var. blanci. J Tunis (type) Yg. „ „ . (J Nabeul, Tunisia ? „ <J Cap Bon, Tunisia, L.M. 9 „ ^ Tunisia, P.M. 9 „ „ . . Var. lineomaciilatus. (? Tangier ? Mogador (type), P.M. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. C. 7. 8. 9. 61 61 10 30 12 26 22-24 20 4 63 53 10 30 9 25 22-23 20 4 72 64 10 2S 13 30 24-23 21 4 61 58 10 29 11 30 24-21 19 4 44 58 10 28 10 25 24-25 22 4 38 57 10 29 10 24 22-21 21 4 80 54 10 30 9 24 23-22 21 4 69 60 10 28 11 27 21-20 22 4 81 54 10 30 10 25 22 21 19 4 75 55 10 30 10 26 18-19 22 4 80 65 10 27 10 22 21-22 23 4 75 67 10 29 9 30 23-25 20 4 76 65 10 30 8 29 23 20 4 90 57 10 27 11 23 24-25 20 4 72 56 10 28 9 30 23-24 22 4 94 68 10 29 10 23 23-22 22 4 70 64 10 29 7 24 24-22 22 5 67 64 8 29 9 28 26-24 21 4-6 67 56 10 28 10 21 25 20 4 66 67 10 30 11 24 24-25 22 5-4 51 72 10 29 10 26 24 21 4 59 68 10 29 11 27 24-26 20 5 4 59 63 10 31 9 28 25 23 5-4 50 70 10 30 11 24 22 23 22 4-5 43 66 10 31 10 26 22 19 4 63 55 10 30 9 24 22 21 4 75 62 10 29 12 23 24-23 20 5 70 60 10 31 10 31 25-26 21 4 67 59 10 31 9 27 27-25 22 4 62 58 10 29 10 24 22-21 23 4 62 68 10 30 9 28 25 20 5-4 59 60 10 30 11 24 23 23 4 53 52 10 29 12 24 20 20 4 53 50 10 29 9 28 20 21 4 51 53 10 31 10 21 24-22 22 4 72 51 10 31 9 25 20-22 19 4 69 57 10 29 9 23 22-23 22 4 City of Morocco 1. Length from snout to vent (in millimeti-es). 2. Scales across middle of body. 3. Longitudinal series of ventral plates. 4. Transverse series of ventral plates. 5. Plates in collar. 6. Gular scales in a straight median series. 7. Femoral pores (right and left if differing). 8. Lamellas under fourth toe. 9. Upper labials anterior to centre of eye (right and left if differing). Same explanation for the following tables. Acanfhodadtjlus. 53 The six forms here defiued are not always easy to distinguish, owing to iutergradation. The following synopsis will help in their identification. I. Scales in middle of body smooth or feebly keeled : if strongly keeled, convex ; tail of yoimjj red. Subocular not reaching the oral border, or entering it very narrowly ; suture between the nasals i to ,V the length of the frontonasal Forma typica. Svibocular largely bordering the mouth ; suture between the nasals rarely more than i the length of the fr^mtonasal Var. belli, Gray. Subocular separated from the oral border by a small shield detached from it ; suture between the internas.-ils ^ the lengtli of the frontonasal Var. atlanticus, Blgr. II. Scales in middle of body flat, with strong, well-defined keels. Sulioeular bordering the moutli ; tail red in the young Var. mauritanicus, Douni. Subocular usually not reaching the mouth ; prefrontals in contact with each other; tail blue in the young . Var. blanci, Doum. Subocular usually not reaching the mouth ; prefrontals often separated by one or two shields ; frontonasal often divided into two ; tail red in the young . . . Vai: lineomaculatus, J) &B. 2. ACANTHODACTYLUS TRISTEAMI. .'' Scajjfeira leiocerca. Gray, Ann. N. H. i, 1838, p. 281. Zoofoca tristrami, Griinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 18(34, p. 491 ; Tristram, Faun. Palest, pi. xvi, fig. 2 (1884). Acanthodacfylvs dorsalis, Peters, Mou. Berl. Ac. 1869, p. 62. Acanthodacfi/Jus tristrami, Bouleug. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 746, pi. Ixiv, fig. 1 ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Geneva (2) ii, 1885, p. 482 ; Bouleug. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 68 (1887), and Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 147. Lacerta platijura, Hempr. it Ehrenb. Symlj. Phvs., Zool., Amph. pi. ii, fig. 8 (1899). Habit rol)ust, body depressed. Head about l^ to IJ times as long as broad, its length 4 to 4f times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance lietween the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a rather feeble concavity between the prefrontals and along the anterior half of the frontal ; snout obtusely pointed, with obtuse cauthus and feebly concave loreal region ; nasals not or but very feebly swollen, Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head or a little broader. The hind limb reaches the axil or the shoulder in males as in females ; foot 1,\ to Ii times as long as 54 LarerfidR'. the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, as long as the head or a little longer. Tail 1-i to l^- times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex. Suture between the nasals -\ to f the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long, and a little broader than the iuteruarial space; prefrontals as long as broad or a little longer than broad, and forming a median suture ; frontal as long as or shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, 1| to 2 times as long as broad, rounded or truncate in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad, outer border straight or concave. Two large supraoculars, preceded and followed by small shields* and granules as in^. vulgaris and bordered on the outer side by one or two series of granules ; the anterior supraocular as long as or a little longer than its distance from the second loreal ; 6 or 7 superciliaries, first longest. Anterior loreal much shorter than second ; 4 upper labialsf anterior to the subocular, fourth longest ; suliocular sharply keeled below the eye, entering the oral border, often rather largely, between the fourth and fifth upper labials. A large, keeled upper temporal, usually followed by a smaller one ; temporal scales granular, convex, upper minute, lower much larger ; tympanic shield usually present ; auricular denticulation absent or very slightly indicated. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the three first in contact in the middle. 19 to 26 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtajiosed in front, enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold absent. Collar free or attached in the middle, curved or angular, composed of 7 to 11 plates. Scales granular on the nape and sides, larger and flat, round and juxtaposed or subimbricate on the back, largest and often pointed towards the veiitrals, all perfectly smooth ; 58 to 65 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and transverse series, all except the outermost much broader than long, the largest fully twice as broad as long, in 10 longitudinal and 26 to 33 transverse series. 3 to 5 transversely enlarged preanal plates in a median series. 18 to 24 femoral pores on each side, the two series meeting or very narrowly separated in the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales, very feebly denticulate on each side ; 19 to 22 tricarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Posterior caudal scales feebly keeled, oblique and longer than broad, the basals perfectly smooth and as long as broad ; 28 to 38 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. * The first supraocular sometimes represented ))y 2 or 3 shields only. t 3 on one side in a female from Mt. Hermon. A ca n tJi 0(7(7 cfylus. 55 Greyish, brownish, or reddish above, sides and liml)s with round white spots ; back with small black dots irregularly scattered or with large squarish or X-shaped black spots formiug two or four longi- tudinal series, accompanied by whitish dark-edged spots ; lower parts white. The livery of the young is still unknown. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . ,, „ ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head I'ore limb Hind limb . Foot . Tail . 86 32 20 15 11 31 50 24 130 <? 77 29 19 15 11 28 47 •^3 ? 83 31 19 14 11 30 46 22 110 ? 70 25 16 11 9 26 42 21 102 Particulars of Specimens Examined. 9 Lebanon (tyjje) J" Kefr Hawar-Artuz 9 Baalbek-Shtora c? Mt. Hermon . 67 62 10 28 77 63 10 26 69 62 10 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 24 18-19 22 21 7 25 20 30 10 26 23-21 20 86 58 10 31 9 23 20 20 83 65 10 32 11 24 21-20 22 70 60 10 33 58 59 10 31 9. 4 4 4 4 4 24 24-22 21 4 19 18-19 19 4-3 In addition to the above specimens I have examined the types of A. dorsalis, Peters {L. pJatijura, Hempr. & Ehrenb.) preserved in the Berlin Museum. Habitat.— The Lebanon, between 2000 and 3000 metres, and neighbouring parts of Syria. A. tristrami is one of the largest and heaviest Acauthodactyls. It is closely allied to A. vulgaris, from which it is easily distinguished by the smooth scales on the upper surface of the anterior fourth of the tail, and more nearly to the var. belli from Algeria than to the typical form from Spain and Portugal. 3. ACANTHODACTTLUS BOUETI. Acanthodactylus (Latastia) boneti, Chabanaud, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1917, p. 87, figs., and p. 226 ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 147. 56 Larert'uln'. Habit roliust. Head 1| to 1| times as long as broad, its length 4 to 4| times in length to veut, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; snout short, very obtuse, as long as the postocular part of the head, about twice as long as broad. Neck narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the axil or the shoulder in females, the collar in males ; foot a little longer than the head. Tail If to 1| times as long as head and body. Suture between the nasals not more than ^ the length of the fronto- nasal, which is broader than long ; prefrontals strongly keeled, narrow, more than twice as long as broad, separated by two azygos shields ; frontal shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, nearly twice as long as broad, bifid and bicarinate iu fi-ont, narrow behind ; parietals longer than broad, their outer portion broken uja into small shields ; interparietal rather large, iu contact with a small occipital, or narrowly separated from it. Only one large supraocular (correspond- ing to the third), sometimes with a very short or cresceutic vestige of a second (corresponding to the second), the greater part of the supra- ocular region covered with small granular scales, of which 2 or 3 series separate the supraocular from the superciliaries ; 5 superciliaries, first nearly as long as the others together. Anterior loreal shorter than the second; 4 or 5 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which broadly enters the oral border ; temporal scales granular, upper minute, lower much larger; tympanic shield present ; auricular denticulation absent. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact iu the middle.* 20 to 25 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate ; gular fold distinct. Collar attached in the middle, curved, composed of 6 to 8 plates. Scales granular on the nape, larger, rhombic, subimbricate and strongly keeled on the body ; 63 to 73 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and transverse series ; in 8 longitudinal series, the plates of the second and third series from the middle line broader than long, and 27 to 30 transverse series. A transversely enlarged preaual plate preceded by one or two others, which are narrower. 14 to 18 femoral pores on each side. Digits as in ^4. vuhjaris ; 16 to 18 tri- or quinrjuecarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled, the basal subcaudals smooth ; 25 to 35 scales in the fourth whorl. * .5 on one side and 6 on the other in two specimens (male and female), 3-4 in contact. Acanthodacf ijlus. 57 Adult brown or reddish l:trowii above, with 6 light longitudinal streaks, and series of black spots between them ; limbs with light spots. Young I)lack above with six sharply defined white longitudinal streaks on the neck and body and round white spots on the limbs ; tail reddish. Measurements (in millimetres) : <? ? From end of snout to vei t . 53 63 ,, ,, ,, for* ^ lim b 20 22 Length of head 13 15 Width of head 8 10 Depth of head 6 9 Fore limb 20 21 Hind limb 30 33 Foot 15 16 Tail 82 — Partumlars of 8 peel mens Examined, all Ttjpes. 1. ■2. 3. -i. 5 6. 7. 8. 9. 53 63 8 26 7 23 18-17 18 4 51 65 8 27 7 ' 25 16-18 17 4 63 71 8 27 h > 24 16 18 5 59 63 8 30 t ) 20 14-15 16 4 55 64. 8 28 : ' 22 15 16 4 o8 73 8 29 ; ' 20 18-17 17 4 S P.M. P.M. Hgr. Habitat. — Dahomey. — Types in the Paris Museum. This species, the southernmost of the genus, is evidently derived from A. vulgaris, from which it differs, as well as from the other members of the genus, in the complete or nearly complete disintegra- tion of the second supraocular, and in the reduced number of femoral pores. 4. ACANTHODACTYLUS SAVIGNYI. Lacerta savigiuji, Aud. Descr. Egypte, Eept., Suppl. p. 172, pi. i, fig. 8 (1829) ; M.-Edw. Ann. Sc. Nat. xvi, 1829, pp. 73, 85: AcantJiodact i/liis vidgari.i, var. B., part., A. Dum. Oat. Me'th. Eept. p. 126 (1851). Acanthodacf ylus savigniji, part., Vaill. Miss. Revoil Pays Comal., Kept. p. 19 (1882). Acantlwdacl ijlu^ vaillanti, Lataste, Ann. Mus. Geneva (2) ii, 1885, p. 509. 58 Lacerfidii'. Acanthodadylus savujin/i, Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 6S (1887), and Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 149. Acanthorlacti/lvs pardaJis, part., Anders. Zool. Egypt, Kept. p. 155 (1898). AcantJioducfylus Kaviynyi, var. oranensis, Doumergue, Erp. Oran. p. 174, pi. xii, tigs. 1-3 (1901). Haliit rather slender, Jiody feebly depressed. Head U to 1§ times as long as broad, its length 4^ to 4\ times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eve and the tvmpanum ; a deep lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout pointed, as long as or a little longer than the postocular part of the head, with rather sharp canthus and feebly concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus twice as long as broad. Neck as broad as or a little narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the collar or between the collar and the ear in males, the shoulder or the collar in females ; foot 1^ to If times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, a little longer than the head. Tail 1^ to 2 times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex, rarely slightly rugose in the adult. Suture between the nasals J to i the length of the frontonasal, which is as long as broad or a little broader than long, a little broader than the internarial space and frequently divided into two by a median cleft* ; nearly constantly two azygos shields separate the prefrontals,t which are longer than broad ; frontal as long as or a little shorter than its distance from the end of the snout. If to 2 times as long as broad, rounded, truncate, or notched in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad or a little longer than liroad, often forming a very short suture or separated liy a series of granules behind the interparietal, upper liorder sti-aight or concave. + First and fourth sujaraoculars entirely broken u^j into a great number of granules or of granules and small shields ; second supraocular as long as or slightly shorter than its distance from the second loreal ; 2 or 3 series of granules, rarely 1, between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, which are 6 or 7, rarely 5, in number, the first the longest. Anterior loreal shorter than the second ; 4 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which narrowly borders the mouth. A large * Divided into three in one specimen. t In 2 young specimens there is a single unpaired shield and the prefrontals are in contact behind it ; there are 3 impaired shields in one specimen. if Doumergue is mistaken in stating (p. 17.5i "Cotes lateraux des parietales- droits." The}' are often strongly concave in the specimens received from him. Acanthodactyhis. 59 upper temporal, sometimes followed by a smaller one ; temporal scales granular, smooth or obtusely keeled, upper very small, lower large; a uarrow tympanic shield ; no auricular deuticulatiou. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the 3 first in contact in the middle ; 28 to 30 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis 'of the chm-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed' in front, gradually enlarged and imbricate towards the collar; -ukr fold distinct. Collar free, curved, composed of 8 or 9, rarely^lU or 11, large jjlates. Scales granular on the nape, rhombic and flat on the back, a little larger and nnbricate posteriorly, all strongly keeled, the keels formin- oblique lines towards the spine; scales much larger and smooth towards the veutrals ; 52 to 60 scales across the middle of the body Ventral plates in straight longitudinal and transverse series, all except the outermost much broader than long, the largest twice as broad as long; the series across the middle of the body composed of 10 rarely 12, plates; 28 to 31 transverse series in males, 30 to 33 in females. 3 or 4 unpaired preanal plates, the one in front of the vent large and usually much broader than long.* 20 to 25 femoral pores on each side,t the two series meetino' in the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales, rather strongly denticulate, the fringe much stronger on the outer side of the fourth toe but shorter than the diameter of the toe; 19 to 22 uuicarinate lamella, under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales very oblique and very strongly and diaoonally keeled, those at the base as long as broad or a little broader than long; one or two series of small scales on the median line of the basal part of the tail; basal subcaudals smooth or faintly keeled; 22 to 26 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Youn- dark grey, with 6 white lon-itudinal streaks on the nape and 4 on the body ; a white streak from the ear to the thioh and a series of round white spots above it; the space between eadi pair of dorsal streaks blackish, with a series of whitish spots ; limbs with round white spots. Tail blue, entirely or towards the end. The markings of the young sometimes persist in the adult bu as a rule they become effaced or replaced by dark and lio-ht spots forming a reticulation; the ground colour of the upper parts varies from grey to rufous ; the series of lateral spots of the youno- if present, are yellow or blue. Lower parts white, sometime; washed with bluish. * Longitudinally divided into two in one specimen, t 19 to 28 according to Douinei-gue. 60 Laceitidiv. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . „ ,, „ fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore liml) . Hind limb . Foot . Tail . Particulars of Specimens Examined. 6- ?. 65 58 25 21 15 13 10 8 7 6 20 19 87 32 20 18 125 103 ^ Oraii (type of v 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. ^ oranensls) ().") 52 10 30 8 25 22 20 4 .. 65 57 10 29 9 27 22 21 4 ;j 60 58 10 28 8 29 25 20 4 59 54 10 30 9 23 21 22 20 4 >. 59 60 10 31 8 30 21- 20 4 58 59 10 32 9 25 22 21 4 » 54 58 10 32 9 24 21 22 4 „ 54 55 10 33 10 28 22-21 20 4 53 53 10 32 8 26 22-23 20 4 ). 50 55 12 33 9 25 21 21 4 54 54 12 30 9 26 21- 20 20 4 Igeria, P.M. 74 58 10 30 9 27 24 19 4 „ Algeria? (type of A. vail- laiitii, P.M. 60 10 30 11 26 23 21 The name under which I describe these Algerian specimens has been applied in the past to very different lizards, and has given rise to much discussion. I have first of all no hesitation in regarding the Acanfhodad ijlus discovered near <Jran by M. Doumergue as speciiically identical -svith A. vaillanfi, Lataste, stated to be from Somaliland. Geographical considerations alone seem to have induced Doumergue to propose for it the name of oranensis. Does, however, A. vaillaiiti really come from Somaliland ? In his report on the collection made in Somaliland by Ecvoil, Vaillaut has recorded several specimens of AcanfJiodactylus, under the names of A. vulgaris, A. savignyi, and A snvigvyi, var. schreiberi. These specimens have since been re-examined by Lataste and by Anderson, and the two former names have been shown to refer partly to A. pardalis, partly (one specimen only) to a species described as new by Lataste under the name of A. vaillanfi, the third to A.scufeUafns. Acauthoihictijlus. 61 The presence of Algerian species of Acanflmdactylvs iu Sonialiland, in company with Psammodromns aJginis, which appears in the same list, would lie highly surprising from our present zoo-geographical stand- point, and, although many hundreds of lizards have since Eevoil's time been received from various parts of Sonialiland, and reported upon in •22 different papers, no confirmation of the occurrence of any Acantlio- dadylus or Pgammodromus has appeared. But the form named A. vaillanti has since been re-discovered at Oran, and the notes published l)y Lataste and by Anderson show the specimens originally referred to A. vulgaris and A. savignyi to agree in all jjarticulars with forms characteristic of Algeria (A. pardaJis, vars. hedriagx, latastii, A. scuteUatus, var. inornata). I have therefore not the least doubt that by some mistake, for which I can suggest no explanation, the specimens iu question, together with the Psammodroinu>i algiruf, all of Algerian origin, got mixed up with the Sonialiland Collection. Then as to the identification with A. saingni/i, which I)oumergue has accepted at my suggestion. We have nothing to go by but the figure in the Description de I'Egypte, which appears to be executed with great care, but does not show the side of the head nor the full number of longitudinal rows of ventral plates. The original specimen has been lost. But, with the excej^tion of the smaller interparietal, everything shown iu the figure agrees with the Oran lizard : the general shape, the " facies tout particulier, presque autaut de Lafastia C|ue d' Afanthodactylus " according to Lataste's description of A. vaillanti, the length of the tail,* the shape of the head, the division of the frontonasal and the presence of two shields between the prefrontals (which I have never found in any of the very numerous specimens of A. 2)ardaJis), the supraocular region with its large granular areas, the gular fold and the fold of the collar, the absence of auricular denticulation, the strong fringe of the toes, the strongly keeled dorsal scales, even the markings on the back,t are characters which we find combined in the Oran species, and iu no other, certainly not in A. pardalis, to which Lataste and Anderson were inclined to refer Savigny's lizard. One of Lataste's arguments in favour of identifying Savignv's figure with A. hedriagie (A. pardalis), was this: "A j^riori il faut identifier est individu a uue des especes connues d'Egypte ; car il n'est pas vraisemblable que, dans un pays aussi explore, il appartieune a une * Twice that of head and body ; never more than 14, usually not more than 1| times in A. pardalis. t "Chez les vieux individus, les bandes se sectionneut de plus en plus, et certains deviennent presque pommeles," Doumergue, op. cit., p. 179, 62 Lacertuhe. espece qui n"ait pas c'te retrouvce depuis le coimneuceinent du sic-cle. Les Acauthodactyles sout trop rcpaudus et trop abondauts dans les regions qu'ils occupent, et ils vivent trop au grand jour, sur des terrains arides et decouverts ou rien ne les derobe a I'oeil de robservateur." Now, in 1885, wlieu Lataste wrote these lines, the Reptilian fauna of Northern Egypt had been less thoroughly surveyed than that of Northern Algeria. And yet, a lizard which agrees with Savigny's tigure, and which, according to Doumergue, who first described it as late as 1901, is readily recognizalile in the open, is quite common near Orau, where Lataste himself had collected on two occasions, and it nevertheless escaped the eye of such an expert. We may therefore still entertain the hope that the true A. savignyi will some day be found ou the north coast of Egypt. Doumergue says this species is common on sandy soil at Oran and on the littoral, from Camerata to Mostaganem. It is also found in the interior of the province of Orau, at Ain-Tedales, Sidi-Douma and Daya. A specimen from the " Desert de I'Ouest " (Schousbor) is preserved in the Paris Museum. A. savignyi is more nearly related to A. vulgaris, var. lineomaculatus, than to any other form, and may be said to be connected with it to a certain extent, differing principally in the stronger serration of the outer side of the fourth toe. It is noteworthy that the presence of one, two or three small shields between the prefrontals, which is frequent in A. vulgaris, var. lineomaculatus, and appears only as a rare individual anomaly in the other forms of the genus, has become a constant character in A. mvignyl. 5. ACANTHODACTYLUS PAKDALIS. Lacerta jjardalis, Lichtenst. Verz. Doubl. Mus. Berl. p. 99 (1823) ; Hempr. & Ehrenb. Symb. Phys., ZooL, Amph. pi. ii, fig. 2 (1899). Lacerta cleserti (non Lepcch.), M.-Edw. Ann. Sc. Nat. xvi, 1829, pp. 79, 86, pi. vi, fig. 8, and pi. viii, fig. 6 ; Strauch, Erp. Alg. p. 32 (1862). Sca^jteira maculata, Gray, Ann. N. H. i, 1838, p. 281. Acanthodactylus savignyi, part., Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gen. v, p. 746 ; Guichen. Explor. Sc. Alg., Rept. p. 14 (1850) ; Vaillaut, Miss. Rcvoil Pays Comal., Rept. p. 19 (1882). AcantJiodactylus savignyi. Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 37 (1845) ; Lichtenst. Nomencl. Rept. Mus. Berl. p. 15 (1856); Strauch. op. cit., p. 36; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) ii, 1885, p. 483. AcanfJiodacti/lns. 63 Zootoca desertl, Giiuth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1859, p. 470, and 1864, p. 488. Acanthodactylus bedriagai, Lataste, Le Natur. 1881, p. 357 ; Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 746, pi. Ixiii, fig. 1 ; Boettg. in Kobelt, Reise Alg. Tunis, p. 469 (1885). Acanthodactylus vulgaris (non D. & B.), Vaill. I.e. Acanthodactylus jiardalis, Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 65 (1887), and Tr. Zool. Soc. xiii, 1891, p. 131; Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1892, p. 14; Peracca, Boll. Mus. Torin. ix, 1894, No. 167, p. 7 ; Werner, Jahrb. Nat. Ver. Magdeb. 1896-97, p. 128 (1898) ; Anders. Zool. Egypt, Kept, p 151, pi. xxi (1898) ; Doumergue, Erp. Oran. p. 160, pi. xi (1901); Werner, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxvii, 1909, p. 605; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 147. Acanthodactylus par dalis, var. spinicauda, intermedins, Doumergue, op. cit., pp. 162, 163. Acanthodactylus pardalis, vars. Ijedriagie, maculatus, latastii, sinni- canda, Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 152. Owing to the variability of this species, the following detailed description is based exclusively on Egyptian specimens, which represent in the narrowest sense the Lacerta pardalis of Lichtenstein, the types of which I have examined in the Berlin Museum. Habit stout, body depressed. Head 1^ to l^ times as long as broad, its length 4 to 4f times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a more or less distinct lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as the postocular part of the head, with rather sharp canthus and feebly concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head or broader. The hind limb reaches the shoulder, the collar, or, rarely, a little beyond the collar in males, the elbow, the axil, the shoulder, or, rarely, the collar in females ; foot 1 to 1^ times as long as the head ; fourth toe. from the base of the fifth, as long as the head or a little shorter. Tail 1} to If times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex, rarely slightly rugose in the adult. Suture between the nasals ^ to i the length of the frontonasal, which is broader than long and a little broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals usually a little longer than broad and forming a median suture ; frontal as long as or shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, 1^ to 2 times as long as broad, rounded or truncate in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad, or, usually, broader 64 Lacertiihi'. thau lonrr, outer border strai,i,'ht or concave. First suj^raocular usually divided iuto two, sometimes entire,* rarely disintegrated into several small shields and granules.f as long as or a little shorter thau second ; fourth always replaced by granules, with or without a small shield ; one or two series of granules between the suj^raoculars and the super- ciliaries, sometimes three behind, some of the granules usually penetrating between the first supraocular and the first superciliary ; 6 or 7, exceptionally 5 or 8, superciliaries, first longest and in contact with the first supraocular. Anterior loreal;}^ much shorter thau the second ; 4 upper labials, rarely 3 or 5, anterior to the centre of the eye ; subocular sharply keeled below the eye, usually wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper labials, rarely separated from the oral border by a small additional labial or narrowly entering it.§ A large upper temporal, followed by a small one ; temporal scales granular, convex and smooth, upper very minute, lower large ; tvmpanic shield sometimes present, usually absent ; 4 or 5 short, rounded or obtusely pointed lobules form a denticulation in front of the tympanum. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the 3, or rarely 2, first in contact in the middle ; 23 to 34 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, gradually enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold absent or slightly indicated. Collar free or attached in the middle, curved or angular, composed of 10 to 13 j^lates. Scales granular and smooth, convex or flat, sometimes subimbricate and obtusely keeled on the posterior part of the back, a little smaller on the upper part of the sides, largest towards the ventrals, into which they sometimes gradually merge ; 52 to 68 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and straight or somewhat angular transverse series, all except the outer- most broader than long, but not twice as broad as long, or only a few so broad, the series across the middle of the body composed of 12, rarely 14, plates ; 27 to 32 transverse series. 1 to 4, usually 3, unpaired preaual plates, the one in front of the vent usually broader than long. 15 to 24 femoral pores on each side, the two series meeting or narrowly separated in the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales, * In 2 specimens from Ale.xandria, in 1 from jMaryut. t One specimen from Alexandria, another from Maryut. X Absent on both sides in one specimen from Alexandria, on one side in another. § In 1 male from Alexandria, in 2 females from Maryut. Acanthodactylus. qk little more distiuctly ou the outer side of the fourth toe- 16 to n umcarmate, rarely tricariuate lamellas under the fourth toe ' Upper caudal scales very oblique and diagonally keeled, those at the base broader than long and often very obtusely keeled, lower smooth m the basal part of the tail; 20 to 26 scales in the fourth or fifth Young from Egypt are still unknown,* but we mav surmise from the tl 1 is ; -th -cas:onally an unpaired one on the nape, and that the adult ' ' ' '' "' *'"'" °^ '^'' ^"^^^"' ^^ ^^^^' «^«" "^ the snoi^"^* T'' ^"T^"" ^"'^'' "' ^^^"-<^«1^^^- above, with blackish pots or a brown-black network and four dorsal and one or two lateral series of round or oval longitudinal series of white, yellow, or oran^^e spots ; sometimes traces of a median light streak on the nape ; limbs w h round light spots. Lower parts white, throat, breast and ides of belly sometimes speckled with grey. Measurements (in millimetres) :" From end of snout to vent . " " „ fore limb Length of head . Width of head . Depth of head . Fore limb . . . _ Hind limb . . . _ Foot . . . _ ' Tail . . 67 24 16 12 9 21 36 17 100 9 65 22 15 11 20 32 16 90 The specimens from Palestine are referable to the typical form from Egypt, differing only in the average laro-er size t bv whl h . with the rather stout habitus, they approach' the va'I L^t "' ''tZ ventral plates are identical, the dorsal scales are smooth an/ convex up into 8-10 scales in one; the subocular borders the lip in one * This is indeed very remarkable. Lataste, who failed to r.hf«;. .n Al,eria, ascribed the fact to the early season at ^Wcl W eoltti 7„ J'"' met with the same failure in Egypt, and he su^.e^fJlu ^'^^^''f, " ^^d^'son by the female as a possible explanation wv "^^"'^"'^ *^" ^^^^'^^ «f ^Sgs laid but surely there mL be at lelT^n ^^^^^^^^^^^^ Apanlalis is quite abundant in the localities itCnts ""'' ''""^ to vfnT"" """'^ ' ""^'^ ^^^""^^'^ "^^^^-^°»- «^ """i-tres from snout VOL. II. 66 Lacertldii'. specimen.* The hind liinb reaches the shoulder iu males, the elbow in females; l>ut in four males examined by Peracca it reaches the collar or a little l)eyond, the variation being therefore as in the Kpecimeus from Egypt. 62 to 66 scales across the middle of the body, 30 to 34 transverse series of ventral plates, 11 to 14 plates in the collar, 15 to 24 femoral pores, 17 to 19 lamellae under the fourth toe. As regards the colorationf the light spots are more or less effaced, except in one male from Beersheba. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . ,, „ ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head . Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot . Tail . The habitat of the typical form extends from Palestine to Tripoli. A female species from the French Sudan (coll. Dybowski), in the Paris Museum, appears to be referable to it. This is the Laceria deserti of Milne-Edwards. c? ? . 70 70 . 25 26 . 15 16 . 12-5 12 . 10 10 . 23 22 . 35 34 . 18 18 92 93 Var. BEDRIAGiE, Lataste. The large massive form inhabiting the Plateaux of Algeria, for which I use the name iu the restricted sense adopted by Lataste in 1885, is very nearly i-elated to the typical form, but differs chiefly in the smaller ventral plates, which are but little broader than long, none of them ever twice as broad as long, and form 14, exceptionally 12 or 16, longitudinal and 31 to 36 transverse series. The scales are convex or fiat, juxtaposed or subimbricate posteriorly, smooth or very obtusely keeled, and number 53 to 63 across the middle of the body. 10 to 15 plates iu the collar, which is angular aud attached in the middle, the median plates usually barely differentiated from the gular scales. 26 to 36 gular scales iu a straight line. 16 to 23 femoral pores ou each side. 18 to 21 lamellae under the fourth toe. First supraocular sometimes entire, more frec[uently bisected. In one specimen, from El Guerah, and in one labelled Algeria, the subocular * Also in one fi-om Jaffa mentioned by Werner, and in the types of Milne- Edwards' Lacerta deserti. t A specimen from Beersheba is figured in P.Z.S. 1881. s '^ . 75 75 . 28 28 . 18 17 . 14 13 12 10 . 25 23 . 40 36 20 18 103 90 Aca II thodactijltts. g n tour h and fifth upper labials or, niore frequently, separated fron. the ™outh by a sn.all additional upper labial. The hL limb rlS he shoulder or the collar, rarely a little beyond, in males, the a" ." females ; fourth toe i to once the length of the head. Ta I "o P tnnes as long as head and body. ^^ to i. Coloration much as in the typical form, some individuals more like the Egyptians, others more like the Syrians. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent " " ,, fore limb Length of head . Width of head . Depth of head . Fore limb . Hind limb . Foot ..._'' Tail ...'"■ if«?,.7«^. The high plateaux of Algeria, in the Provinces Oran Algiers and Constantine. Apparently confined to the extreme east of the former province. °^ I provisionally refer to this variety two male specimens from Tamesmida, Tunisia perhaps not fuU-gro.n, to one of 'which lui^n has been made by Lataste in 1885 (1 c p 490^ T>,. 7 , .^'^ are very small many not or but littL-lL^Ln' gtT fon T tudinal and 34 or 35 transverse series. The collar is verv troaX attached m the middle, distinct only on the sides. ThT'cis a e ir onTofr'"''' '"f'''^ *° '' ^-^^ ^^« -d^" tT body. One of the specimens has no enlarged preanal, the other has on y one, twice as broad as long. First supraocular broL^ i. two. A small supplementary labial between the fourth and Mil separating the subocular from the mouth. Auricular d.n ulat L' -derate or ^^^^^ ^i.d limb reaching the shoulder fifht: little shorter than the head +. fi. . f .1. ^ ^^y "^ '"^^Ji« efeaced, but very similar 0 that of the var. hedria,., Grey above, with intensely black spots Wing a sort of network, with 8 longitudinal series of /ound rt white spots, with others in addition. * Which is described further on under the name of var. lata.tii. 68 ; Lacertichv. Measuremeuts (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . . . .59 fore limb 22 Length of head 14 Width of head 10 Depth of head .... 7 Fore limb .... 19 Hind limb .... 30 Foot 16 Tail 72 Var. MACULATUS, Gray. This variety differs little from the typical form ; the shape of the head is the same and the snout is exactly as long as the postocular part of the head. But the form is not quite so heavy, the length of the head is 3^ to 4 times in length to vent in males, the size is smaller, the tail is 1^ to 14 times as long as head and body, and the dorsal scales are rhombic and more or less strongly keeled. The coloration, as in the typical form and the var. bedriagie, shows a marked contrast of dark and light spots, usually forming regular longitudinal series. The young is black above, with four white dorsal streaks, in addition to which a vertebral streak, bifurcate in front, is present on the nape and the anterior part of the back, and one white streak on each side ; a series of round white spots between the outer dorsal and the lateral streaks ; the inner dorsal pair of streaks unites into one on the base of the tail ; limbs with large round white spots. The first supraocular is usually divided into two or three ; the subocular rests on the fourth and fifth, or fourth, fifth and sixth (rarely fifth and sixth, or fifth, sixth and seventh) upper labials ; in one specimen* it reaches the oral border. 41 to 60 scales across the middle of the body. 16 to 25 femoral jDores. 18 to 22 lamellas under the fourth toe. I cannot separate from this form, known from Tripoli and Tunis, specimens from the interior of the Province Orau (var. intermedius). The specimens I have examined have strongly keeled scales, but Doumergue says they are sometimes smooth or feebly keeled, in which case I do not see how they are to be distinguished from the typical form. * From Cabes ; also in one from Mechei-ia, Oran. Acanth odd ctyliis. 69 Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ' . ,, ,, )i fore limb . Length of head .... Width of head .... Depth of head .... Fore limb Hind limb .... Foot Tail 1. o^, Mettamer, Tunisia. 2. ?, Duirat, Tunisia. 3. (J, El Kreider, Orau. 4. $ , Mecheria, Oran. 1. 2. 3. 4. 50 57 62 57 19 20 22 21 13 13 15 13 9 9 10 9 7 7 8 7 18 19 21 19 ■SI 29 34 30 17 15 17 16 90 75 78 75 Var. LATASTII, Bouleuger. Lataste has proposed to separate the examples from Southern Tunisia and the Algerian Sahara as a var. deserti* from the Egyptians, his var. aaviijnijl, with the following definition: — Taille grande et forme t'lanci'e. Ecailles dorsales pen rcgulieres et vaguement carcnces. Coloration assez intense et plus ou moins pom- mek'e var. savujnyi. Taille petite et forme grcle. Ecailles dorsales regulicrement rhom- boidales et nettement carenees. Coloration plus ou moins effact'e. var. deserti. This definition leaves out of consideration too many exceptions to be of much use. Thus the following table shows the lizards from Biskra to be as large as those from Egypt ; the keels on the scales are more often absent or indistinct than decidedly marked, t and some of the specimens from the Plateaux of Algeria, t which were included under the var. deserti, are as vividly coloured and marked in precisely the same fashion as the Egyptians. It is, in fact, almost impossible to distinguish some of the Tunisian and Algerian specimens from the typical form, 1)ut they are linked by close gradation with the better- defined desert lizards, e:;treme specimens of which, in the shape of the * This name cannot be used in this sense, as Milne-Edwards's Lacerta deserti is not Lepechin's, and is, besides, based on specimens from Olivier's collection from the " Empire Ottoman," probably Syria. t Lataste had probably in mind the specimens now refm-red by me to the var. maculatus. t Wed Dermel, Wed Sedeur; also the type of Zootoca deserti, Gthr., from Ngoussa, south of the Mzab. 70 LacertidcV. head, in the small size, and in the effaced or reticulate markings, are not unlike the form of A. scvtellatm inhabiting the same districts. I have, however, decided to follow the lead of Lataste and to recog- nize a Saharian form, which may be described as an ill-defined variety characterized li_v a usually more pointed snout, a little longer than the postocular part of the head, the average lower number of scales across the body, the often rather more slender toes, sometimes with stronger pectination," and the frequent absence of regular longitudinal series of light spots on the body. Habit often rather more slender than in the typical form, and especially than in the var. hedriagiv. Head 4 to 4-1 times in length to vent in males, 4,\ to 4| times in females, 1^ to If times as long as broad. Tail 1^ to 1 } times the length of head and body. Nasals sometimes rather strongly swollen. Frontonasal sometimes nearly as long as broad ; frontal usually shorter than its distance from the end of the snout. If to 2^ times as long as broad ; first supraocular more often entire than divided ; one series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, rarely two; auricular denticulatiou always well marked, the lobules sometimes long and pointed. Collar sometimes free, more usually attached in the middle. Scales granular or rhombic, convex or flat, usually smooth or feebly keeled, rarely rather strongly keeled, 46 to 65 (usually 50 to 58) across the middle of the body. Ventrals in 12 longitudinal series, rarely 14, and 27 to 33 transverse series. 15 to 25 femoral pores on each side. 17 to 23 lamellse under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales usually all strongly keeled ; 18 to 24 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Coloration usually pale grey or pale buff, rarely with yellow or orange spots on the back, the dark markings usually much effaced or small, or forming a wide-meshed reticulation, sometimes with a ten- dency to cross-bars ; sometimes two series of rather large blackish spots along the back. Young grey, with four white longitudinal streaks on the back (six on the nape) and one on each side, with rows of round white spots between them ; limbs with large round white spots ; tail bluish towards the end. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. •6. 4. From end of snout to vent . 69 65 59 62 „ ,, ,, fore limb . 28 25 24 22 Length of head 17 16 14 14 * Especially in specimens found between Wargla and El Golea, and between Wed N(ja and El Alia, in wliich the lobes of the fringe on the outer side of the fourth toe may be nearly as long as the diameter of tlie toe. Acanfhodacti/lug. 71 Width of head Dejith of head Fore limb . Hind limb . Foot . Tail . 1. (j^, Biskra. 2. $, Biskra. 3. J^, Wargla. 4. ? , Wargla-El Golea Habitat. — Tripoli, Southern Tunisia, Algeria in desert tracts on the high plateaux and far into the Sahara. 1. 2. 3. 4. 13 12 10-5 10 9 9 7 7 25 22 20 20 41 36 35 32 21 18 17 16 . 110 80 88 85 Var. SPINICAUDA, Doumergue. This is the most distinct of the varieties of A. j^ardalis. Head about 1 ^ times as long as broad ; snout a little longer than the postocular part of the head ; snout more pointed, nasals more swollen, with the lanceolate concavity very shallow, sometimes hardly distinct. Hind limb longer, reaching the ear in males, the collar in females ; foot IJ to 1 i times the length of the head ; fourth toe at least a trifle longer than the head, up to 1^. Tail 1| to 1} times as long as head and body, much flattened at the base, especially in males. First supraocular nearly always entire ; one or two series of granules lietweeu the supraoculars and the superciliaries ; subocular wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper labials, narrowly bordering the mouth in one specimen ; a strong auricular denticulation, formed of 4 or 5 obtusely pointed lobules. 26 to 31 gular scales in a straight line ; no gular fold ; collar attached in the middle, composed of 9 to 12 plates. Scales rather strongly keeled, at least on the posterior two-thirds of the back, 44 to 56 across the middle of the body. Ventral plates, all except the outermost broader than long, in 12 longitudinal series, in 27 to 29 straight transverse series in males, 31 to 33 in females. 17 to 24 femoral pores on each side. Denticulation a little more developed on the outer side of the fourth toe than on the inner ; 20 to 22 tricariuate lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales strongly keeled, those on the sides just behind the vent with the keels strongly raised, especially in the males, forming- very prominent rounded or pointed tubercles, producing a serrated outline on the base of the tail. Grey or pale buff above, with longitudinal series of yellowish or 72 Lacertidee. whitish dark-edged spots in a dark network or with six or eight longitudinal sei'ies of large ocellar spots. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, „ ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot Tail Habitat. — Sahara in the Province of Oran. The localities given by Doumergue are Arba Tahtaui, around the Oasis, and El-Abior-Sidi- Sheikh. c? ? 54 56 22 23 13 13 10 9-5 7 7 21 19 37 33 18 16 92 86 Particulars of Specimens Examined. Forma typica Alexandria ^ Maryiit ^ Jerusalem (? Beerslieba 68 63 12 29 13 29 23 18 4 58 56 12 27 11 30 24 17 4 54 60 12 30 11 30 21 18 3-4 50 62 12 29 12 27 17-16 20 5-4 50 60 12 27 13 25 19-20 19 4 60 62 12 30 11 30 18-17 18 4 56 57 12 30 13 28 16-18 18 4 56 68 14 32 10 23 18-17 18 4 52 58 12 29 12 25 19 16 4 67 60 12 31 13 28 22 20 4 65 56 12 29 13 26 19-21 19 4 65 59 12 29 12 33 23 21 4 59 59 12 28 11 30 19 IS 5-4 59 55 12 31 11 30 22-20 19 4 65 56 14 31 11 28 20-19 17 4 61 56 12 30 10 30 17-18 18 4 61 52 12 30 11 27 15 21 4 60 58 12 31 11 30 19 19 5-4 58 62 12 32 12 34 19 20 4 55 54 12 29 11 26 18-17 18 4 55 57 12 30 10 30 21-19 21 4 70 62 12 30 14 28 21-20 19 4 64 62 14 30 12 30 22-23 18 4 70 65 12 32 13 33 16-17 19 4 69 66 12 34 11 32 16-15 17 5-4 71 64 12 32 13 26 19-18 18 4 Acanthodadijhis. 73 (J Beerslieba .... i Levant (type of L. dcserti), P.I ¥ French Sudan, P.M. . 1. 2. 4. 5. 70 (56 12 31 It 33 62 56 12 30 13 30 56 61 12 33 8. 9. 23-21 18 2-4 18 62 58 12 29 13 35 19-20 18 39 21-20 22 Var. bed)- agx. ^ Sersou . „ Batna . . 6-i . 72 60 58 14 14 31 32 13 13 32 33 21 23-22 20 18 4 5 (J El Guerali . 44 . 68 57 60 14 12 33 35 10 13 26 30 18-17 22 21 18 21 5 4 » . 56 53 12 34 11 26 20 20 5 » . 56 59 14 32 12 28 16 19 5 ? . 74 56 14 36 12 28 18-17 20 6-5 <? Setif . . 74 . 60 58 54 14 14 33 33 12 15 28 29 18-16 19 21 20 5 5 ? ,. . 75 58 14 34 11 28 IS 18 5 (? Aures Mts ., 1 V. of Biskra . 63 . 75 63 60 14 16 35 34 13 14 30 29 17-18 19 18 21 5 5 " . 68 60 14 34 12 32 20-21 20 5 " . 65 56 14 33 11 29 19-21 20 4-5 „ Algeria . . . . . 67 62 14 34 12 25 19-18 18 5 „ „ . 75 54 14 31 11 28 19 21 4-5 ? » <? TamesmiJa, Tunisia . . 77 . 59 55 65 14 14 33 35 11 10 29 30 17-16 21-22 19 20 4 5 » ,, 55 60 14 34 12 32 21-20 20 5 Var. maculatus. Hgr. Tripoli (type) . 3 „ P.M. . „ Misurata, Tripoli „ Duirat, Tunisia . <J Cabes, $ Mettamer, „ ? Bir el Ahmar, Tunisia S S. of Gafsa „ „ El Kreder, Prov. Oran ? Mecheria, „ 40 58 12 31 12 30 19 22 5 57 57 12 30 12 28 21-20 22 4 49 60 12 28 11 29 23-22 22 6 54 52 12 28 10 28 20-21 22 4 50 47 12 27 12 26 19-20 20 4 57 47 12 30 9 26 17-16 18 4 55 51 12 30 11 25 17-18 19 4 52 52 12 29 12 26 20 19 4-5 52 41 12 30 11 28 20-19 20 4 55 57 12 29 10 29 17-18 20 4 54 43 12 30 9 27 20-19 22 4 50 51 12 29 11 28 18 21 5 50 55 12 28 12 26 21 22 4 56 46 12 30 12 27 23-22 19 4 57 51 12 27 11 29 22-21 22 5 62 55 12 32 11 34 23 21 4 57 49 12 29 12 30 18 18 4 57 57 12 29 10 31 19 20 4 74 Lacert'uhv. ? Meeheria, Prov. Oraii S Kralfalla 3. 4. 8. 9. 48 12 31 11 27 17-19 19 4 54 l-l 30 13 35 25 21 4 Var. latastii. ? Tripoli (J El Hammam of Tozoui-, Tunisia ,, Feriana, Tunisia . 'f Wed Sedeur, Algeria ^ Wed Derniel „ $ Mzab ^ Biskra g Biskra-Tuggurt <J Biskra-Laghouat Hgr. Ngoussa (type <? Bou Saada ofZ. desei ^ij 52 55 12 30 12 29 16 17 19 4 50 5S 12 29 10 33 22 22 4 55 56 14 31 12 29 21-22 19 5 50 53 12 31 12 28 18-19 20 4 53 54 12 28 14 28 19 19 4 50 58 12 30 11 30 21-20 20 5-4 48 50 14 30 12 30 21 22 4 60 54 12 30 12 33 18 22 4 69 60 12 27 12 33 20-21 21 5 64 58 14 27 10 30 20-18 20 5-4 63 58 12 28 11 31 22-21 20 4 63 55 12 28 11 29 21 19 4 60 61 12 29 12 32 20-21 20 6 59 55 14 29 12 31 IS 19 4-5 59 53 12 28 12 29 23-22 22 4 52 58 12 31 13 35 20-19 19 4 65 54 12 28 9 31 21-20 20 4 62 55 12 32 10 27 19 20 5 61 51 14 30 11 30 20-18 19 5 61 63 12 30 11 34 20 21 4 60 51 12 30 11 27 19-17 20 4 58 59 12 30 12 30 18 19 4-5 50 61 12 30 11 28 15 20 5 66 58 12 30 13 35 20-19 21 5 63 56 12 30 11 36 21 20 5 62 61 12 31 13 33 18-20 20 5 64 57 12 31 11 32 20 20 5 64 55 14 31 12 30 18-17 20 5 58 57 12 33 14 32 18-19 20 5 56 46 12 28 11 30 22 21 4 55 54 12 31 10 28 19 21 4 54 58 12 31 10 28 21 20 4 52 53 12 30 10 31 16 22 4 44 65 12 31 12 29 17 20 4 63 52 12 30 11 28 18 21 4 5 53 57 14 29 9 31 20 19 4 64 52 14 31 10 30 18 21 4 64 GO 12 32 10 3U 19 20 4 63 62 12 33 9 34 16-18 21 4 61 50 12 31 10 32 18 19 5 61 51 12 31 10 32 16 20 5 60 56 12 32 11 30 17-18 21 5 56 57 12 29 11 29 17-18 19 5 Aca nthodacti/liiii. 75- $ Bou Saada . (? Bou Guelfaia ? Tilreint-Laghouat (? Lag'liouat ? ,, Ghavdaia tJ Wargla i Warg-la-El Golea „ Wed N(,-a-El Alia 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 55 53 12 32 8 32 16-15 17 5 55 56 12 32 8 35 16 21 5 59 53 14 27 10 30 20 22 4 55 52 12 31 8 32 19 18 4 60 56 12 28 11 33 19-18 20 5 57 51 12 31 11 32 19-20 20 4 55 50 14 30 10 31 22-23 20 4 60 52 12 31 11 31 17-16 21 4 58 50 14 31 11 30 21 20 4 57 52 12 32 i) 34 19 21 4 59 48 12 29 11 29 24-23 20 4 58 54 12 30 10 33 17-18 18 4 58 53 12 31 10 33 19-18 21 4 60 63 12 29 11 36 20 20 4 60 55 12 28 13 31 21 20 4 56 54 12 27 11 35 23 23 4 62 57 12 31 13 39 21 21 4 55 50 12 29 12 31 20-19 22 4 55 52 12 30 11 34 17-18 21 6-5 Var. spiiiicauda. 5(; 46 12 29 9 30 23-22 21 4 55 46 12 29 10 29 22 21 4 54 52 12 28 11 30 20-19 22 4 52 56 12 29 12 31 24-23 22 4 52 54 12 27 9 29 18-19 20 4 52 56 12 29 12 31 24-23 22 4 50 53 12 27 11 27 20 22 4 47 53 12 27 9 26 20 21 4 56 51 12 33 10 31 17-18 21 4 52 53 12 31 12 28 17 21 4. 50 44 12 31 11 28 18 21 4 A. 'pardalis is intermediate between the two extreme species of this genus, A. vulgaris and A. scutellatiis. Synopsis of the Varieties. Hind limb rarely reaching- a little beyond the collar ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, not or but a trifle longer than the head ; keels on sides of tail, at tlie base, not remarkably strong. A. Snout obtusely pointed, not longer than postocular part of head. 52 to 68 scales across middle of body, dorsals smooth or very feebly keeled ; ventrals in 12 (rarely 14) longitudinal and 27 to 34 transverse series Forma typica. 53 to 65 scales across middle of body, dorsals smootli or very feebly keeled; ventrals in 14 (rarely 12 or 16) longitudinal and 31 to 36 transverse series ..... Var. hedriaijx, Lat. 76 Lacertidx. 41 to 00 scales across middle of body, dorsals more or less strongly keeled; ventrals in 12 lono-itudinal and 27 to 33 transverse series Var. maculatus, Gray. B. Snout more pointed, a little longer than postocular part of head. 46 to 65 (usually 50 to 58) scales across middle of body, dorsals usually smooth or feebly keeled ; ventrals in 12 (rarely 14) longitudinal and 27 to 33 transverse series. Var. latastii, Blgr. II. Hind limb I'eaching the ear in males, the collar in females ; fourth toe at least a trifle longer than the head, up to 1] ; base of the tail much flattened, with the keels on the sides strongly raised, especially in males, producing a serrated outline. 44 to 56 scales across middle of body, dorsals rather strongly keeled; ventrals in 12 longitudinal and 27 to 33 transverse series ........ Var. spinicauda, Doum. Taken in the wide sense, A. jjcirdalis shows the following range of variation in the number of scales and plates : Scales across body, 41-68; longitudinal rows of ventrals, 12-16; transverse rows of ventrals, 27-36 ; plates in collar, 8-15 ; gular scales, 23-36 ; femoral pores, 15-25 ; lamellae under fourth toe, 17-23. 6. ACANTHODACTYLUS MICROPHOLIS. AcanthodactijlHs inicropholis, Blanf. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (4) xiv, 1874, p. 33, and Zool. E. Persia, p. 383, pi. xxxi, fig. 2 (1876); Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 745, pi. Ixiii, fig. 3; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) ii, 1885, p. 503 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz.iii, p. 63 (1887), Faun. Ind., Eept. p. 171 (1890), and Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 147. Ha1)it rather slender, liody moderately depressed. Head 1} times as long as broad, its length 4 to 4i times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as the postocular part of the head, with rather sharp canthus and feebly concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus twice as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head. Hind limb reaching the ear or the eye; foot 1^ to H times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, l|-to Ij- times as long as the head. Tail about twice as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex. Suture between the nasals short or very short, not more than -J the length of the frontonasal, which is Acavtliodactylus. 77 broader than loug- and a little broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals as long as broad or slightly longer than broad, forming a suture ; frontal as long as or shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, about twice as long as broad, rounded or obtusely angular in front, narrow behind ; pai'ietals as long as broad, outer border straight or concave. Only three large supraoculars, the fourth being replaced by granules ; first as long as or a little shorter than second, from which it is usually separated by a series of granules, second a little shorter than third ; one series of granules, or one in front and two behind, between the second and third supraoculars and the super- ciliaries, which are 6 or 7, rarely 8 in number, the first the longest. Anterior loreal shorter than second ; subocular sharply keeled below the eye and usually bordering the mouth, between the fourth and fifth upper labials.* A single upper temporal ; temporal scales granular and smooth, upper a little smaller than the lower ; tympanic shield usually present ; a more or less distinct denticulation in front of the tympanum, formed l)y 4 or 5 rounded or obtusely jjointed scales. 5 or 6 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact in the middle. 28 to 33 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-j^late, juxtaposed in front, larger and imbricate near the collar; gular fold indistinct. Collar free, curved, comj^osed of 10 or 11 plates. Scales granular and smooth on the nape, rhombic, flat, subimbricate and keeled on the body, gradually increasing in size towards the posterior part of the back, where they are much smaller than the caudals, small on the sides ; 56 to 63 scales across the middle of the body, 18 to 22 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and transverse series, all except the outermost broader than long, but not twice as broad as long, or some only as broad as long, in 10 longitudinal and 29 to 31 transverse series. One or two enlarged median j^reanal plates or, in females, preaual region covered with subequal irregular plates. 21 to 25 femoral pores on each slde,t the two series meeting in the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales ; toes with moderately strong lateral denticulation, usually more developed on the outer side of the fourth toe, but longest lobes always less than the diameter of the toe ; 24 or 25 unicariuate lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales large, the basals broader than long, sharply keeled, lower smooth or obtusely keeled on the basal part of the tail ; 22 or 24 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. * Only two exceptions out of 14 specimens, according to Blanford. t Up to 27 according to Blanford. 78 Lacertidie. Grey above, with white loiii^itudiual streaks on the body and round spots on the limbs ; the white streaks usually 7 in number, including the lateral, the vertebral bifurcating on the nape ; one specimen (from Persia) has only 6 streaks on the anterior part of the body and 4 on the posterior; the interspaces between the light streaks frecjueutly blackish, with a series of small round white spots ; lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : c? ? From end of snout to vent . . 62 63 „ fore limb . 24 23 Length of head . . 15 15 Width of head . . 10 10 Depth of head 7-5 8 Fore limb . . 26 24 Hind limb . . 45 41 Foot . . 23 22 Tail . . 125 — Particulars of Specimens Examined. 1. 2. 3. •4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. $ Magas, Balvichistan (type) . . 5«i 51 10 29 10 33 23 24 4 ? „ . HO 50 10 31 10 28 25-24 25 4 „ Bampur, „ „ . . 63 48 10 31 11 30 21-22 24 4 (J Eigan, S.E. Persia (i2 52 'lO 30 10 33 25-24 25 4 Hahifat. — Blanford found A. micropholis locally throughout Baluchistan, much less abundant in the lower elevations near the coast than A. cantoris, l)ut apparently replacing that species completely at elevations above 1000 metres. Three specimens were oljtained in S.E. Persia, but the species appears to be absent from the highlands of Persia, where, hitherto, no Acanthodactyls have been observed. 7. ACANTHODACTYLUS SCHREIBEKI. Acantltodactylus savigvyi (non Aud.), Schreib. Herp. Eur. p. 'iS7 (1875). AcantJwdactyhis savignyi, var. schreiheri, Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1878, p. 188. Acanthodactyhis boskianits, var. syriactis, Boettg. Ber. Senck. Ges. 1878-79, p. 69 ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Geneva (2) ii, 1885, p. 496. Acantlwdactylus savujinji, part., Boettg. Ber. Senck. Ges. 1879-80, p. 178. Acanthodadylus. 79 Acanthodadijlna )<i/riariis, Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 745, pi. Ixiii, fig. 4, and Cat. Liz. iii, p. 61 (1887) ; Werner, Jahrb. Nat. Ver. Magdeb. 1896-97, p. 128 (1898). Acantli odacfijlus schreiberi, Bouleng. tt.cc. pp. 746, 62 ; Lataste, t.c. p. 505 ; Bouleug. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 147. Acanthodadylus schreiberi, var. syriacus, Bouleng. t.c. p. 153. Habit rather slender, body moderately depressed. Head If to H times as long as broad, its length 3-| to a little over 4 times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a more or less distinct lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as the postocular part of the head or a little longer (not more than 1^), with rather sharp canthus and feebly concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head. The hind limb reaches between the collar and the ear, rarely the ear, in males, the collar in females ; foot li to If times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, 1 to 1^ times as long as the head. Tail 1^ to 2 times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex. Suture between the nasals } to i the length of the frontonasal, which is as long as broad or a little broader than long, and a little broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals longer than broad, usually forming a suture* ; frontal as long as or shorter than its distance from the end of the snout. If to 2 times as long as broad, rounded or forming an obtuse angle in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad or a little longer than broad, outer border straight or concave. Four large supraoculars, in contact with each other, first shorter than second, its outer border entirely or nearly entirely in contact with the first superciliary, second often longer than third, fourth smallest ; 6 or 7, rarely 8, superciliaries, first longest ; a single series of granviles between the supraoculars and the superciliaries. Anterior loreal shorter than the second ; 4 upper labials t to below the centre of the eye, the fourth the longest; subocular sharply keeled below the eye and forming an angle wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper labials, sometimes nearly reaching the oral border. A strongly keeled upper temporal, usually followed by a much smaller one ; temporal scales granular, convex, upper very small, lower larger ; tympanic shield present ; auricular denticulation absent or merely indicated. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the three first in contact in the middle. * A small shield between them in two males and in three younij. t Earely 5 according to Boettger. 80 Lacertidti'. 31 to 36 * gular scales iu a strai<rht line betv/eeu the symphysis of the chiu-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, larger and imbricate near the collar ; no gular fold. Collar free, curved or, more frequently, angular, composed of 7 to 11 plates. Scales granular and smooth on the nape, larger, flat, rhombic, obtusely or rather strongly keeled on the body, subimbricate towards the tail, a little smaller on the sides ; 48 to 59 scales across the middle of the body, 20 to 26 iu a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and transverse series, all except the outermost broader than long, but never twice as broad as long, in 10 longitudinal and 30 to 33 transverse series. 3 or 4 preanal plates on the median line, usually very feebly enlarged in females, the last 2 to 3 times as broad as long in males. 23 to 29 femoral pores on each side,t the two series meeting in the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales ; toes with moderately strong lateral denticulation, the denticles stronger on the outer side of the fourth toe )>ut shorter than the diameter of the toe; 21 to 23 strongly unicarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales much larger than posterior dorsals, oblique, truncate, and strongly and diagonally keeled, basals as long as broad or a little broader than long, lower smooth or very obtusely keeled in the basal part; 22 to 28 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Young streaked with black and white, the black streaks the broader and spotted with white ; 5 or 6 white streaks on the nape, 4 or 5 on the body, 3 on the base of the tail ; another white streak on each side, from the tympanum to the groin ; limbs with large round white spots. The striation disappears or is reduced to traces in the adult, which are grey above, spotted, speckled or reticulate with blackish, the blackish s2:iots often forming 2 or 4 longitudinal series. A female is remarkable for a black, light-edged vertebral stripe on the body, the sides being spotted with blackish, and a light, black-edged vertebral streak on the naj^e. Lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent 82 73 ,, ,, ,, fore limb . 32 26 Length of head . 21 18 Width of head . 14 12 Depth of head . 10 8 Fore limb . 29 25 * Up to 40 according to Boettger. t Or 30 according to Boettger. AcanfJiodacti/his. 81 Hind liml) Foot . Tail . Habitat. — Cyjjrus. (? ? 55 43 27 22 155 130 Var. SYEIACUS, Boettger. J^^t TT"" --id«--tion I have decided to unite the Syrian form with that from Cyprus, as the only important difference "resides in the stronger and sharper keels on the dorsal scales-a difference of degree which is not greater than we find in varieties of other species A. .ulgar^s, A. scuteUatus). The keeled temporal scales and ratL larger gular scales (27 to 32, rarely 35, in a straight line) are no important characters m the light of the variations °in other specter 18 to .2 scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs ; 21 to 26 femoral pores on each side. In 10 specimens from Beyrut (out o 14 examined) the frontonasal is longitudinally bisected, and in z^:^c ''' '^^"^ ^"^^"™' ''' -'-'- —^y --« anrbv w'""' """7^ '• ' ""' "' "'^^ '' '^''' ^--ibed by Boettger and by Werner, are often reddish above, with 8 light bluish-o.:ey longitudinal streaks bearing small blackish spots. Others are ^ ej above, with small black spots, or white, dark-edged ocelli betwtn more or less distinct light longitudinal streaks, Exactly as f he typical A. schreiberi. .y ^ts, m tne Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent " " ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head . Depth of head . Fore limb . Hind limb ... Foot ... Tail . 78 27 19 13 9 28 47 25 165 ? 67 25 17 11 8 23 42 22 122 In ts strongly keeled scales this form approaches the typical j. 5o.^.a,«., of which it has been regarded as a variety by Boeft "r and by Lataste ; but it is easily distinguished from it by the smalle appears to be always entire. VOL. II. 6 82 Lacertidix'.. Ifafcifa^.—Beyrut, Jaffa, and Haiffa in Syria. — The specimens iuthe Lyons Musevim were referred by Lortet to A. scutellahis. Particvlars of Specimens Examined. Forma typica (7 Cyprus Var <? Beyrut „ P.M. „ L.M. syrtacHS. 1. 2 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 93 55 10 31 11 36 29 23 4 82 54 10 33 9 34 26 23 4 82 54 10 30 8 33 24-26 23 4 SO 48 10 32 9 32 25-26 21 4 79 50 10 30 7 33 28-27 22 4 76 52 10 31 9 31 27-28 21 4 74 59 10 32 10 35 26-28 23 4 73 50 10 33 9 33 27-28 23 4 68 55 10 32 8 33 25 21 4 66 59 10 33 9 33 26 23 4 66 51 10 31 8 32 24-23 22 4 62 55 10 32 7 34 23-25 23 4 57 57 10 32 8 33 24 22 4 78 49 10 32 12 30 23-24 21 4 70 51 10 31 11 29 24 22 4 69 54 10 32 11 30 23 21 4 75 53 10 31 11 32 27-25 21 5-4 74 48 10 30 12 28 23 20 4 69 52 10 31 11 31 25-26 21 5-4 56 57 10 30 13 32 23-24 21 4 56 49 10 33 12 31 25-24 21 4 75 49 10 33 8 28 26-25 20 4 67 52 10 31 11 35 23-22 20 4 63 57 10 32 10 31 22-21 20 4 75 51 10 32 10 28 24 19 4 57 52 10 32 10 27 24-23 20 4 „ L.M (? Syria . I have besides examined, in the Lyons Museum, a series of 40 specimens of the var. syriacus, bearing the erroneous indication : " Cochinchine, don du Dr. Morice." They were associated with examples of Lacerta leevis and Chalcides ocellatns, and no doubt came from Syria. In 33 of these specimens the frontonasal is divided into two by a longitudinal cleft, in 2 it is divided into three ; in 2 of them the subocular borders the mouth. 8. ACANTHODACTYLUS BOSKIANUS. Lacerta boskiana, Daud. Hist. Eept. iii, p. 188, pi. xxxvi, fig. 2 (1802) ; Lichtenst. Verz. Doubl. Mus. Berl. p. 103 (1823) ; Aud. Descr. Egypte, Eept., Suppl. p. 173, pi. i, fig. 9 (1829). Acanmodacfijlus. 83 Lacerta aspera, Aud. op. cit. p. 174, pi. i, fii?. 10. Acanthodactylus bosJcianus, Wiegm. Herp. Mex. p. 10 (1834) ; Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gen. v, p, 278 (1839) ; Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 38 (1845) ; Strauch, Erp. Aly. p. SS (1862) ; Bouleug. Bull. Soc. Zool. Frauce, 1878, p. 182, and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881. p. 744, pi. Ixiii, fig. 2 ; Eimer, Arch. f. Nat. 1881, pi. xv, fig. 26 ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) ii, 1885, p. 496; Pareuti & Picaglia, Atti Soc. Modena (3) v, 1886, p. 29; Bouleug. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 59 (1887), and Tr. Zool. Soc. xiii, 1891, p. 129 ; Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1892, p. 14, Herp. Arab. p. 34 (1896), and Zool. Egypt, Kept. p. 148, pi. xx (1898) ; Doumergue, Erp. Oran. p. 148, pi. x, figs. 1-3 (1901) ; Werner, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxvii, 1909, p. 604; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 148. Scapteira inequalis, Gray, Ann. N. H. i, 1838, p. 280. Acanthodactylus asperus, Bonap. Icon. Faun. Ital., Amf. (1841). Acanthodactylus boshiamis, var. asptr, Lataste, I.e. ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. Frauce, 1918, p. 153. Lacerta lomjlcauda, Hemjjr. A Ehrenb. Symb. Phys., Zool., Amph. pi. ii, fig. 5 (1899). Acanthodactylus boskianus, var. euphraticus, Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (9) iii, 1919, p. 650. The following description is taken from the smaller-scaled form, with the subocular excluded from the oral border, the range of which appears to be restricted to the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, and which agrees with Daudiu's L. boshiana, as first pointed out by Lataste on examination of the type specimen preserved in the Paris Museum. The larger-scaled form, var. asper, which has a wide distribution, grades into it so completely as to cause difiiculties in the naming of certain isolated specimens.* Habit rather slender ,t body moderately depressed. Head I3, or a little less, to If times as long as broad, its length 3| to 4^ times in length to vent, its dej^th equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal, bordered by a usually rather strong but obtuse keel ; snout more or less * DoumergiTe mentions one from Geryville, in the Province of Oran, which he refers to the typical form, but which is probably only an annectant example of the var. asper, with an exceptionally high number of scales (38 or 40 across the middle of the body). t Except in one male from Alexandria, which is as stout as a typical A. pardalis. This aberrant specimen is also remarkable in having a shorter pectination on the outer side of the fourth toe, resembling some specimens of A. pardalis. 84 Lacertichw obtusely pointed, as long as or a little longer than the postocular part of the head, ^Yith rather sharp cauthus and feebl}' concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus 2 to 2^ times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head. The hind limb reaches the ear or between the collar and the ear in males, the collar or between the collar and the ear in females ; foot li to If times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, 1 to 1^ times as long as the head. Tail \\ to 2;\ times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex, sometimes feebly rugose in the adult. Suture between the nasals ^ to \ the length of the frontonasal, which is as long as broad or a little broader than long, and a little broader than the internarial space* ; prefrontals as long as broad or longer than l)road, forming a suturef ; frontal as long as or shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, If to 2 times as long as broad, rounded or forming an obtuse angle in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad or a little longer than broad, outer border straight or concave ; a very small occijaital sometimes jjresent, behind the suture between the parietals. Four large supraoculars, the first as long as or a little shorter than the second, and usually divided into 2 or 3, sometimes disintegrated into 4 to 7 jsarts, or separated from the second by a series of granules, fourth smaller and also occasionally separated from the supraocular in front of it by a series of granules ; 6 or 7, rarely 5, su]Derciliaries, the first the longest and in contact in front with the first supraocular ; a single series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries. Anterior loreal shorter than second ; constantly 4 upper labials to below the centre of the eye, the fourth the longest; subocular sharply keeled below the eye and forming an angle wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper labials. Two strongly keeled upper temporals, the first long, the second short ; temporal scales granular, convex, upper minute, lower large, or lower transversely elongate and more or less strongly keeled ; tympanic shield often present ; auricular denticula- tion merely indicated or moderately strong and formed of 4 or 6 rounded or obtusely pointed scales. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the three first in contact in the middle. 25 to 35 (usually 25 to 31) gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, larger and imbricate near the collar ; gular fold * Longitudinally divided into two in a female from Alexandria and in a young from Eamleh. t A small shield between the prefrontals in a male and in a female from Alexandria and in a male and in a voung from Eamleh. Acaufhodactyliis. 85 feeble but distinct. Collar free, curved, composed of 8 to 12 plates. Scales granular and keeled on the uape, large, flat, rhoml)ic, sharply keeled, as long as broad, rounded or obtusely pointed behind on the back, the posterior more or less imbricate, increasing in size towards the tail, but considerably smaller than the basal caudals ; scales on the sides much smaller, moi'e or less distinctly or even strongly keeled, and either merging into the dorsals or abruptly differentiated ; 34 to 52 (usually 38 to 43) scales across the middle of the body,* of which 16 to 20 are enlarged dorsals ; 12 to 14 ("rarely 16) large keeled scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates in regular longitudinal and transverse series, all except the outermost broader than long, the largest rarely twice as broad as long, in 10 longitudinal and 27 to 32 (usually 29 or 30) transverse series. Males with 2 to 4 enlarged preanal plates on the median line, the last usually 2 to 3 times as broad as long ; in females these plates are smaller and the preanal region is often covered with small, subequal, irregular plates. 21 to. 31 (usually 22 to 28) femoral pores on each side, the two series meeting or narrowly separated in the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales ; toes strongly denticulate, especially on the outer side of the fourth toe, where the lobes of the fringe are as long as or a little shorter than the diameter of the toe ; 20 to 24 uni- or tricarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales large, the basal In-oader than long, sharply keeled, rounded, truncate, or obtusely pointed behind, sometimes shortly mucronate, lower smooth in the basal part of the tail ; 18 to 22 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Young with 5 (rarely 4) white strealis on the upper surface of the body, sometimes 6 or 7 on the nape,t and one on each side, separated by dark grey or blackish broader streaks, which may be spotted with white ; 4 and then 3 white streaks on the base of the tail ; limbs with large round white spots ; tail red towards the end. This striation may persist in the adult, well marked or faint, or the dark streaks may be replaced by series of black and white spots, or the upper parts may be yellowish with four red longitudinal bands ; exceptionally with a blacksh network enclosing round whitish spots. Lower parts white. * 52 in the type specimeu, as counted liy Lataste. Otherwise the number of scales does not exceed 47 in the specimens examined by me. T The type specimen figured by Daudin shows two pairs of dorsal streaks and a vertebral ending lialf-way down the back. 1. 2. 79 64 29 25 19 16 1-2 10 10 8 26 21 50 39 26 19 .75 108 86 Lacertidn: Measurenieuts (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent fore liml» Len£;tli of head .... Width of head .... Depth of head .... Fore limb ..... Hind limb ..... Foot Tail 1. (? , Aljukir. 2. 9 > ^^^^^^^i*^^'''^- Yar. ASPEE, Audouin. Distinguished liv larger dorsal scales. Head likewise varying in shape, the snout exceptionally rather pointed and LV times as long- as the postocular part of the head.* The hind limb reaches between the collar and the ear or between the ear and the eye, very rarely the eye, in males, the shoulder, the collar or between the collar and the ear in females. The first and fourth supraoculars usually entiret; rostral excep- tionally in contact with the frontonasal + ; a small shield sometimes present between the prefrontals § ; exceptionally 5 or 6 upper labials to below the centre of the eye. 22 to 32 (usuallv 23 to 28) gular scales in a straight line. 7 to 12 collar-plates. Dorsal scales abruptly differentiated from the laterals, in 12 to 18 longitudinal series in the middle of the body, and 8 to 14 (usually 10 to 12) between the hind limbs, the posterior often nearly as large or but little smaller than the basal caudals ; 28 to 38 (usually 25 to 35) scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates exceptionally in 8 or 12 longitudinal series. 15 to 27 (usually 17 to 24) femoral pores on each side. 1 7 to 24 lamella? under the fourth toe. 18 to 22 scales in the fourth or fifth caudal whorl. Young with 6, 5, or 4 white streaks on the nape, 5 or 4 on the * Two males, from Tunisia and Ghardaia, may be regarded as extremes ; their measurements are here given. There are also considerable differences between specimens from the Hadramut. t Divided into 2 or 3 shields in 17 specimens only, from Aden, Lahej, Abian Coixntry, Haithalhim, Hadramut, Giza, Sviakin, Laghoiiat, and Boii Guelfaia. X Male from Aden and male from Haithalhim. § Single specimens from Sinai, Cairo, Giza, Gebel Maryut, Luxor, Suakin, and Annesley Bay. 1. 82 32 21 14 11 31 57 27 195 2. 76 31 19 13 10 27 51 26 180 3. 61 23 16 10 8 23 40 20 128 4. 61 23 16 11 8 23 39 20 127 67 23 16 11 8 24 38 20 125 23 16 10 8 24 42 Acanthodactylus. g7 My 4 and 3, or 3 only, on the base of the tail- these streaks sometnnes c,„,te as broad as the dark streaks betwee, ,he„ Idul with ;:;:: r: ir.'^ 't^' '°™' ™"'«-^ hands„Lrs,.tked Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of suout to rent " " .. fore liml Length of head Width of head . Deptli of head . Fore limb . Hind limb Foot . Tail . 1- c?,Hadramut. 2. c^^ , N.E. of El Golea S ^ ^ ^f nv a- 4 ^ Tn.ii.io tr M AT, ,^ -i^i vjuiea. o. c5 , b. of Grhardaia. 4. c?,Tuu,.,a. 5. 9,NebyMusa. 6. $,BouSaada. Var. EUPHRATICUS, Bouleuger. I am indebted to mv son T)r P T tj^, i r obtainpd hv I,- i/ ''Oil' ;L>i- <- L. Bouleuger, for 8 specimens obtained by hmaself and Lieut. Harrison at Ramadieh on the Euphrates Fron in 1917, which are highly interesting, 7 of them mouTri^r" T"' "' *'^ ^^^"^^ ^'^ *^^ ^'^'--^- Wderin! the mouth ; otherwise they agree with the typical form in the number of ZtVaVd fY' ^'^ '° '' ''''-' ^''''^' '' - '' between theTind hmbs) and of femoral pores (23 to 27*). There are 22 to ^7 caudal scales m the fourth or fifth whorl. The first supraocular is l^-oken u Young with 4 white streaks on the upper surface of the bodv, 6 on achoTwHch "' 7 ""' «ide, separated by broader black streaks, each of which may bear a series of round white spots Measurements (in millimetres) : r From end of snout to vent ... gj " " „ fore limb Length of head . Width of head Depth of head . Fore limb . * In one of the male specimens there ar 30 19 13 11 30 9 80 29 18 12 9 27 .u one oi rae male specimens there are 2-3 additional pores forming, a second series behind the other at the distal end of the tlii^.h. ' 88 Lacertidx. $ ? 54 46 26 24 165 — Hind limit ...... Foot Tail The three ill- defined forms which I think deserve recognition under the names of var. euphraticus, forma typica and var. asper, constitute a highly suggestive gradational series ; the condition of the subocular shield pointing to the first being the nearest to the hypothetical primitive Acanthodadylus. These forms may be thus contrasted : Subocwlar usually bordering the mouth ; first supraocular divided ; 38 to 43 scales across middle of body, 14 to 16 between hind limbs ; 23 to 27 femoral pores on each side Var. euphraticus, Blgr. Subocular not bordering the mouth ; first supraocular iisually divided; 34 to 52 (usually 38 to 43) scales across middle of body, 12 to 16 between hind limbs ; 21 to 31 (usually 22 to 28) femoral pores . . . Forma typica. Subocular not bordering the mouth ; first supraocular usually vindivided ; 23 to 38 (usually 25 to 35) scales across middle of body, 8 to 14 between hind limbs ; 15 to 27 (usually 17 to 24) femoral pores . . . Var. asper. And. Hahifat. — Palestine, Mesopotamia, Arabia, Coasts of the Red Sea, Egypt, Nubia and Egyj)tian Sudan, Tripoli, Tunisia, Algeria, south of the Plateaux and far .into the Sahara, to the north-west of Lake Chad.* The reported occurrence of this lizard in Persia, although not improbable in view of its recent discovery in Mesopotamia, awaits confirmation, as based on one of the Aucher-Eloy specimens in the Paris Museum. t Particidars of Specimens E.vaniined. Forma typica. r. (type), P.M. Maryut Alexandria . (J Eamleh 1. 2^ 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 38 52 10 32 10 27 22-21 21 4 64 38 10 29 9 27 22 19 4 77 41 10 29 10 25 24-23 21 4 74 40 10 29 10 28 25 20 4 73 38 10 29 11 31 24-23 21 4 60 42 10 30 9 30 24-25 20 4 69 41 10 30 10 28 24-25 22 4 64 39 10 31 8 25 22-23 20 4 57 34 10 30 9 25 22-23 21 4 56 44 10 30 11 27 24-22 21 4 73 43 10 27 S 28 25-26 22 4 72 43 10 30 12 31 28 21 4 * Pellegrin, Bull. Mus. Paris, 1909, p. 413. — The specimen, which I have examined in the Paris Museum, is a young one, and belongs to the var. asper. t See remarks above, under Lacerto- viridis, var. vaillanti (vol. I, p. 77). Acanthudadylus. 89 S Eanileli S Abukir Port Said Var. asper. S Basra, Mesofiotamia ? ,, „ „ Neby Miisa, Dead Se; $ Moses Wells, near Suez ,, Tor, Sinai ,, Wed Hebron, Sinai S Sinaitio Pen 2 Midian J Aden . nsula t? Haitlialliini, near Aden d Lahej, near Aden ? Mt. Manif, near Aden <7 Abian Country, S.W. Arabia „ Hadramut i Suez 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. . 71 47 10 29 10 29 25-24 21 4 . 65 42 10 29 9 32 30-28 23 4 . 56 41 10 30 8 28 27-28 20 4 . 60 37 10 30 8 28 23 21 4 . 60 43 10 29 9 29 26-27 20 4 . 58 43 10 29 12 31 25-24 22 4 ■ 57 38 10 32 9 28 22-23 21 4 ■ 79 41 10 30 10 35 28-29 22 4 . 73 38 10 28 9 29 24-27 21 4 . 66 42 10 28 10 31 31-30 24 "4 . 66 42 10 30 10 29 25 24 20 4 . 62 40 10 31 9 25 21 20 1 . 56 31 10 27 9 27 22-20 22 5-4 . 55 33 10 27 8 27 19-18 22 4 I . 67 34 10 27 8 27 23-22 20 4 ez • 64 36 10 28 8 28 21 21 4 . 76 36 10 26 10 29 26-25 22 4 . 65 31 12 27 9 31 22-23 22 4 . 64 33 10 25 9 26 24-23 20 4 . 59 33 10 25 9 26 25 21 4 . 61 32 8 26 10 26 21-20 20 4 . 58 30 10 27 10 22 21-20 20 4 . 67 29 10 25 8 24 20 20 4 . 61 25 12 27 9 24 21 20 4 . 64 29 10 26 8 26 21-22 21 4 . 57 27 10 26 10 26 20 21 4 . 57 31 10 28 7 28 21 20 4 . 55 28 10 26 8 26 21-22 22 4 ■ 50 29 10 27 8 27 21 21 4 1 . 71 30 10 25 10 28 20-21 20 4 . 62 25 10 26 9 23 22-20 20 4 . 71 23 10 30 10 24 17 21 4 . 65 28 10 27 10 23 20-22 20 4 • 57 27 10 26 10 23 21-22 20 4 . 74 32 10 27 9 28 19-20 21 4 . 62 31 12 27 8 27 21 19 4 Vrabit' I . 73 33 10 26 9 29 23 23 5-4 . 82 25 10 25 10 26 19-20 20 4 . 82 27 10 26 10 28 17-19 22 4 . 81 30 10 27 7 27 19-20 20 4 . 76 23 10 25 8 26 15-16 20 4 . 73 25 10 27 9 23 17-16 20 5-4 • 65 24 10 27 10 27 IS 24 4 • 67 34 10 25 12 29 20-22 22 4 • 61 30 10 26 9 24 22-21 20 4 . 60 33 12 27 7 25 23-22 22 4 90 L acertidiv. 1. 2 3. 4. r 6. 7. 8. 9. S Suez 59 28 10 28 8 28 17-18 21 4 ., „ 55 32 12 25 12 27 22 23 4 9 Gebel Marynt . 61 32 10 27 9 22 19 20 4 (? Cairo . 69 30 12 26 8 23 21-20 19 4 9 „ . • . 65 31 10 28 9 28 21-22 23 4 ,. ,, . . . 62 32 10 26 9 26 19 20 4 S Criza, near Cairo . 71 34 10 28 11 27 21 19 4 .. ., 58 31 10 20 10 28 21-20 20 4 „^ Helat, Libyan Desert 76 32 10 26 10 29 24-25 23 4 ,, „ ,, 71 28 10 26 11 27 22 21 4 „ Tel el Aniarna 65 31 10 25 9 27 22-23 21 4 „ 65 34 10 25 7 28 22 20 4 * 03 33 10 28 9 20 21-22 22 4 „ „ 56 33 10 24 11 23 21-22 19 4 .. ,. 56 32 10 28 8 25 20-18 22 4-5 9 60 32 10 30 7 26 20-18 22 4 <? Luxor . 57 30 10 27 9 32 23 20 4 .; » • 56 30 10 26 7 25 20-19 21 1 4 9 „ . . . . 64 33 10 26 8 25 20-18 19 4 •> ), • ■ . 64 38 10 29 10 28 21-22 22 4 (J Assuan 64 36 10 25 10 22 19 19 4 " Egypt (type of S. inxq nalis ) 75 35 8 26 9 28 22-23 20 4 ,, Khartum 52 30 10 26 ]0 25 19-18 21 4 9 „ . . 52 31 10 27 7 22 17-10 19 4-5 (J Suakin 77 34 10 20 9 20 21-19 20 4 » „ . . 75 30 10 28 9 26 21 18 4 ). ,) . . 70 32 10 26 8 23 22 20 4 » „ . . 69 28 10 27 9 25 18-20 19 4 ,, „ . . 69 30 10 27 9 28 22-21 20 4 „ „ . . 66 33 10 27 11 27 22 20 4 9 „ . . 70 32 10 30 11 31 21 19 4-5 „ „ . . 65 33 10 27 8 29 21 21 5-6 „ „ . . 63 33 10 29 9 20 22-21 20 4 ., „ ■ . 59 32 10 28 9 20 20 20 4 ? Erkovit, near Suakin 54 35 10 29 10 28 21-20 20 4 S Duem, Egypt. Sudan 71 28 10 25 12 23 21-20 21 4 „ Annesley Bay, Eritrea 59 28 10 28 10 25 21-22 19 4 „ Tunisia 61 35 10 29 9 30 22-21 20 4 „ Duirat, Tunisia . 73 30 10 27 9 20 23 20 4 9 „ „ . 66 34 10 28 9 25 23 20 5 „ „ „ 66 32 10 28 S 30 19-18 20 4 ,, jj J, 63 34 10 27 10 31 23-20 23 4 $ Zarzis, Tunisia . 80 31 10 27 10 25 22 17 4 „ Bordj-Bou-Arrerij, Algeria 53 35 10 28 11 28 22-21 19 4 „ Bou Saada ,, 63 38 10 27 9 23 20-21 20 4 ? 64 34 10 27 8 25 23 19 4 M « ' » . 62 38 10 28 9 28 23 21 4 J» »> jj 60 34 10 29 10 28 20 21 18 4 AcanthoJiictijlus. 91 9 Boil Saada, Algeria „ Biskra-Laghouat (? Laghouat ? „ . . „ Bou Guelfaia-Tibi-enit (? S. of Ghai'daia I. Tiigguit ? „ . . „ Wed N?a-El Alia (? N.E. of El Golea „ El Golea-Wed Saret „ Aiii Guettara ¥ El Ki-eder, Prov. Orau $ Aiii Sefra, „ Vai". euphraticus c? Eamadieli (type) ? Yg. " 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. (>0 35 10 28 8 29 24 20 4 56 33 10 28 10 23 18-17 19 4 72 36 10 26 8 25 20 20 4 ()4 31 10 27 8 23 21-20 17 4 57 34 12 29 9 27 24-22 20 4 61 38 10 29 9 28 22-20 18 4 63 34 10 26 8 27 24-22 20 4 65 34 10 30 8 29 25-23 20 4 57 29 10 30 9 26 23-22 22 4 76 32 10 •j~ 11 25 22-23 2U 4 69 26 10 28 10 20 23-24 23 4 62 34 10 27 10 27 25-26 20 4 55 35 10 28 11 30 22 21 4 73 30 10 26 11 25 24-23 21 4 71 3U 10 27 10 28 24-23 20 4 60 33 10 28 9 25 20-21 19 4 SI 33 10 28 10 26 25-27 22 4 80 35 10 29 8 25 23 21 4 73 31 10 27 10 27 19-20 20 4 58 37 10 32 8 26 22 23 4 81 41 10 29 9 29 2() 22 4 79 38 10 29 9 28 25-24 20 4 77 43 10 29 8 28 26-27 22 4 5 75 38 10 29 8 29 23-24 20 4 80 39 10 30 9 30 25-26 20 4 66 45 lu 29 9 29 23 21 4 43 39 10 3li 8 31 25-27 23 4 38 40 10 28 8 29 26 21 4 9. ACANTHODACTYLUS CANTORIS. Acantliodactijlus cantoris, Giinth. Kept. Brit. Iiid. p. 73 (1864) ; Stoliczka, Journ. As. Soc. Beng. xli, 1872, p. 91 ; Blanf. Zool. E. Pers. p. 381, pi. xxvi, fig. 3 (1876) ; Bouleug. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881, p. 745, pi. Ixiv, fig. 3; Murray, Zool. Sind, p. 348 (1884) ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. Geuova (2) ii, 1885, p. 507 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 60 (1887), aud Faim. Ind., Kept. p. 170 (1890) ; Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1895, p. 646, Herp. Arab. p. 34 (1896), and Proc. Zool. Soc. 1901, ii, p. 143: Parshad, Rec. Ind. Mus. x, 1914, p. 271 ; Bouleng. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 148. ? Acanthodactijlus mkropliolis (non Blanf.), Murray, I.e. Acanthodadijlus cmitoris, vars. hlanforclii, arahlciis, Bouleug. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 154. Typical form. 92 Laci'rtldie. Habit rather slender, liody more or less dej^ressed. Head Ij to If times as long as broad, its length o§- to 4 times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a deep lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout pointed, often acutely, 1-1 to 1,V times as long as the postocular part of the head, with sharp canthus and concave loreal region ; nasals often rather strongly swollen. Pileus 1 1 to 2 J times as long as broad. Nect as broad as or a little narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the ear or between the collar and the ear, rarely between the ear and the eye, in males, the collar or between the collar and the ear, rarely the ear, in females ; foot \\ to 1^ times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, 1 to IJ times as long as the head. Tail \\ to 2^ times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields flat or convex, smooth, or feeldy rugose in old specimens. Suture between the nasals short or very short ; fronto- nasal as long as broad or a little longer than broad, rarely a little broader than long,* a little broader than the internarial space ; pre- frontals longer than liroad, the suture between them long or short, according to the length of the snout ; frontal shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, lif to 2^ times as long as broad, rounded or, more often, obtusely angular in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad or broader than long, outer border straight or concave ; a small occipital often present behind the suture between the parietals. t 4 supraoculars, the first as long as or shorter than the second, nearly wholly in contact with the first superciliary, ^; the fourth smaller, often liroken up or separated from the third by a series of granules ; one or two series of granules between the second and third supraoculars and the superciliaries, which are 6 or 7, rarely 8, in number, first longest. Anterior loreal much shorter than second ; 5, rarely 4 or 6, upper labials to below the centre of the eye ; subocular sharply keeled lielow the eye, lower border rounded and resting on the fourth, fifth and sixth upper labials, or angular and wedged in between the fifth and sixth (rarely sixth and seventh or fourth and * Occasionally, but very rarely, longitudinally divided into two, as observed by Stoliczka ; the same author also notes the presence in some individuals of one or two small shields between the prefrontals, and I find one such small shield in a specimen from Sind and in another from Hissar. t In a young specimen from Hissar there is a well developed occipital, separated from the interi^arietal by a small shield. X The second supraocular touches the prefrontal on both sides in a specimen from Sind, and on one side in another from between Nushki and the Heliuand. Acantliodacfylns. 93 fifth).* 2 large supvatemporals. subequal or first the larger, rarely 3 ; upper temporal scales minute, lower large, ofteu transversely elongate and more or less strongly keeled ; a narrow tympanic shield usually present ; usually 3 to 5 pointed scales form a denticulation in front of the tympanum, sometimes with a few compressed and erect scales in front of them. 6 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact in the middle. 26 to 37 (usually 28 to 31) gular scales in a straight line between the svmphvsis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold indistinct. Collar free, curved or angular, strongly serrated, composed of 7 to 14 plates. Scales rhombic and strongly keeled throughout, very small on the nape, gradually enlarged and imbricate on the back, where they pass moi'e or less gradually into the caudals ; the scales on the back much larger than those on the sides, rounded behind or pointed or even shortly mucronate, with oblicjue keels directed towards the median line, in 14 to 18 longitudinal series in the middle of the body, in 10 to 15 series between the hind limbs ; 26 to 38 (usually 28 to 34) scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 12 (rarely 14) longitudinal and 28 to 32 nearly straight transverse series, on two or several longitudinal series broader than long, otherwise not broader than long, the outer usually pointed and feebly keeled. Usually 2 or 3 unpaired preanal plates, the one in front of the vent 1^ to 2 times as broad as long ; or preanal region covered with small irregular plates. 16 to 24 femoral pores on each side, the two series usually meeting in the middle. Fingers with 4 series of scales, the series on each side forming a very feeble denticulation ; toes with only 3 series of scales, the serration on the outer side much stronger than on the inner, very strong on the fourth toe, where the lobes of the fringe at least equal, and often exceed the diameter of the toe ; 19 to 24 uuicarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales very oblique and strongly and diagonally keeled, more or less distinctly mucronate, those at the base broader than long, lower smooth or feebly keeled in the basal part of the tail ; 18 to 22 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Young elegantly streaked with black and white, the streaks of nearly equal width ; usually 5 white streaks on the nape, 4 on the ])ody, 3 on the base of the tail ; but the vertebral streak sometimes * The snhocular " occasionally touches the labial margin " according to Stoliczka. 94 Lacertidn'. extends aloiit;- the })ody to between the hind limits ; a white lateral streak from the eye, through the tympanum, to the Imse of the thigh ; older specimens sometimes have series of white spots along the black streaks ; head variegated with black and white ; upper lip usually with black vertical bars ; the black and white streaks on the temple sometimes replaced by vertical bars; limbs with large round white spots ; end of tail sometimes pink, sometimes blue. The striation may persist more or less distinctly in the adult, but adult males are usually grey or reddish brown, uniform or with round light, dai'k- edged spots corresponding with the arrangement of the light streaks, or with a dark network ; the dai-k l)ars on the upper lip often persist. Lower parts white. Measurements (in millimetres), of specimens from Kurrachu : From end of snout to vent . ., ,, ,, fore limb . Length of head ..... Width of head Depth of head ..... Fore lim)) ...... Hind limb ...... Foot Tail • . Habitat. — Agra, Punjab, Rajputana, Sind, Southern Afy-hanistan. Var. BLANFORDII, Boulenger. The specimens from Baluchistan and Southern Persia* first descril)ed by Blanford differ from the typical form in having smaller scales (38 to 44 round the middle of the body), the dorsals (20 to 22 across the middle of the body) less abruptly defined from the laterals, and the posterior much smaller than the basal caudals (12 to 16 between the hind limbs), and the gular scales are also usually smaller (33 to 37 iu a straight line). The ventrals are in 12 (rarely 14) f longitudinal series, as in the type, but the outer are neither pointed nor keeled. 6 dorsal and 1 lateral light longitudinal streaks, with or without round white spots between them ; some specimens nearly uniform. * A. cantoris occurs also in Central Persia, as it is recorded by Werner, Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xlv, 1S95, jj. 16, from between Teheran and Koni, altitude 1200 to 1500 metres. t Exceptionally 10, according to Blanford. 3 ^■' 72 64 '28 22 18 16 12 10 9 8 27 22 48 38 24 20 162 115 Cutch, Baluchistan, Acanfhodactyl us. 95 Measurements (iu millimetres) : 1. 2. From end of snout t 0 vent 66 53 „ fore limb 27 22 Length of head 17 14 Width of head . 11 9 Depth of head . 8 7 Fore limb 22 21 Hind limli 44 87 Foot 24 19 Tail . — 95 (^ , Bam, Persia. 2. 9 , Maud, Baluchistan. Var. AEABICUS, Bouleuger. The specimens from South Arabia, all of smaller size, females 45 millim. long from snout to vent being gravid, agree with the typical form in the large size of the dorsal scales (27 to 35 across the middle of the body), but differ in having the ventral plates iu 14 (rarely 16) longitudinal series, the outermost being usually feebly keeled. The gular scales are large (24 to 30 in a straight line). Young usually with 6 white streaks on the nape and anterior part of the back, 4 on the posterior part of the back, 3 on the base of the tail, and one on each side ; sometimes 6 or 7 white streaks on the nape, 5 on the anterior part of the back. One specimen has 6 white streaks on the nape, the median pair uniting, at the level of the collar, into a vertebral streak edged with black, the rest of the back being grey with 6 rows of small white spots. Tail blue. Full-grown specimens uniform olive, greyish, or brownish above, sometimes sparselv covered with small black spots, which may have a longitudinal serial arrangement. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent „ ,, ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head . Depth of head . Fore limb Hind limb Foot .... Tail 1. S . Lahej. 2. $ , Hadramut. 1. 2. 63 49 25 19 17 13 11 8 9 6 23 18 45 33 23 18 153 82 9(i LacerticlR'. Partic7ilars of S^iccimens Examined. Forma typica. tj Eamnagar, Agra (type) J Kiriiru, Punjab 9 Nasirabad, Rajput; ij Karachi <J Thar district, Sind „ Sind . <? Cuteh, B.S. . 9 Omara, Mekran Coast (? Nnshki-Helmand „ Helmand Var. blanfordii $ Dasht, Baluchistan ? „ „ Mand $ Bam, S. Persia ,, Jask „ ? „ „ . Var. arahiciis S Aden . ? „ . . . (J Lahej, near Aden , N. of Lahej . , Abian hills, nr. Lahej , Hadramut . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7- 8. 9. 65 28 12 30 10 27 20 23 5 64 30 12 28 9 29 20-21 23 5 57 33 12 28 11 27 21 22 6 77 32 12 28 14 34 20-21 23 5 77 30 12 28 12 26 21-20 22 5 58 31 12 29 13 29 20 24 5 66 36 14 28 13 29 21-22 19 5 72 37 12 30 11 31 22 22 5 72 32 12 29 11 31 21-20 22 4 69 29 12 30 11 30 21-22 20 5 68 28 12 31 11 29 20 21 5 64. 34 12 29 13 27 19-18 21 5 61 31 12 30 13 37 20-21 22 5 57 29 12 32 11 28 18 22 5 77 31 12 28 12 29 21 24 5 65 80 12 28 11 28 20 20 5 72 34 14 30 11 32 20-23 22 5 70 26 12 28 10 28 23-24 20 5 64 28 12 28 10 30 19-20 21 5 60 35 12 31 14 30 20-19 21 5 55 30 12 28 12 30 19 20 5 55 31 12 29 10 28 21-20 22 5 49 34 12 30 12 29 22-21 20 6 74 32 12 28 12 27 20-19 20 5 50 32 14 29 7 31 16 21 5 75 38 12 28 10 81 21 22 5 71 35 12 29 8 28 20 23 5 64 34 14 30 12 32 18-19 20 •6-5 51 37 12 30 10 29 18-19 19 5-6 56 41 12 31 9 36 24^22 20 5 51 40 12 31 10 87 19-18 20 5 53 44 12 30 12 37 21-20 20 5 66 42 12 32 9 34 19-18 22 5 64 38 12 28 12 35 20-21 23 5 53 40 14 29 11 33 17 22 5 53 29 14 29 9 31 19-22 21 50 28 14 31 10 28 21-22 22 63 27 14 27 11 25 21 20 6-5 59 28 14 27 10 24 20-22 21 5-4 52 27 14 28 9 27 20 21 5 48 35 14 27 10 28 19-22 21 5 60 32 14 28 11 28 21-23 22 5 55 31 11 30 11 25 21 23 5 AcantJiodactijlus. 97 , „ , 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. i Hadramut 52 30 14 29 11 25 22 22 6-5 ^ " 49 32 14 28 11 28 20-19 22 5 45 28 14 30 7 25 21 22 5 " " 45 32 14 30 11 26 21-19 22 5 "^ " 40 32 16 30 9 26 19-20 21 5 The three forms may be distinguished by the followiuo- numerical characters : 26 to 38 (usually 28 to 34) scales across middle of body ; 12 (rarely 14) longitudinal series of ventral plates ; 25 to 37 (usually 28 to 31) gular scales in a straight line n ^ . Forma fypica. 38 to 44 scales across middle of body; 12 (rarely 10 or 14) longitudinal series of ventral plates; 33 to 37 gular scales in a straight line. Var. blanfordii, Blo-r 2/ to 35 scales across middle of body; 14 (rarely 16) longitudinal series of ventral plates ; 24 to 30 gular scales in a straight line . Var. arabica. Blor. 10. ACANTHODACTYLUS SCUTELLATUS. Lacerta granimica, part., Lichtenst. Verz. Doubl. Mus Berl d 100 (1823). ■ ■ ^' Lacerta scutellata, Aud. Descr. Egypte, Eept., Suppl. p. 172 pi i fig. 7 (1829) ; M.-Edw. Auu. Sc. Nat. xvi, 1829, pp. 74, 85, pi vi' fig. 3; Hempr. & Ehreub. Symb. Phys., ZooL, Amph. pi ii fio- 4 (1899). ■ F F • , s- * Lacerta oUvieri, part., Aud. oji. cif. p. 174, pi. i, fig. 11. Lacerta dumerilii, M.-Edw. t.c. pp. 75, 85, pi. vii.'fig. 9. Scapteira inornata. Gray, Auu. N. H. i, 1838, p. 281. Mernles dumerilii, Gray, t.c. p. 282. Acanthodactyhts scutellattis, Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gen. v, p. 272 (1839); Gray. Cat. Liz. p. 64 (1845); Strauch, Erp. Alg. p. "36 (1862) ; Steind. Sitzb. Ak. Wieu, Ixii, i, 1870, p. 331 ; Bouleug. Bull. Soe. Zool. Frauce, 1878, p. 185, aud Proc. Zool. Soc. 1881,''p. 744 pi. Ixiii, fig. 2 ; Boettg. Abh. Seuck. Ges. xii, 1881, p. 401 ; Lataste' Auu. Mus. Geneva (2) li, 1885, p. 491 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 64 (1887), aud Tr. Zool. Soc. xiii, 1891, p. 130; Anders. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1892, p. 14; Werner, Verh. Zool.-bot. Ges. Wieu, xliv, 1894 p 82- Koeuig, Reise Alg. p. 412 (1896) ; Auders. Zool. Egypt, Eept.' p. 161,' pi. xxii (1898); Doumergue, Erp. Orau. p. 152, pi. x,"figs. 4-7 (1901); Werner, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xxvii, 1909, p. 606 ; Bouleug. Auu. Mus' Geuova (3) vi, 1914, p. 79, and Bull. Soc. Zool. France 1918* p. 148. Acanthodactylus inornatus. Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 38. VOL, II. >j 98 Lacertidie. Acanf]nnlacfi/his savignyi, var. scJirelberi (non Bouleiig.), Vaill. Miss. Ei'voil Pays gonial., Kept. p. 20 (1882). Acunthodactyhis scutellatus, vars. exiyuns, tliimerlll, Lataste, I.e. Acanthodacfyliis scntellatus aureus, Giiiitli. Nov. Zool. x, 1903, p. 298, fig. Acanihodactyhis scnfellafus, vars. long'qies, audoiiini,aiirei(st, iiwrnatus, diuiierili, Bouleiig. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 154. Acanihoddcfylns seneyalensis, Chabaii. Bull. Mus. Paris, 1918, j). 162. The uanie scuteUatiis applies to the large,* reticulate or dappled form with very small scales which was first figured from Egypt, and to which I refer speciiuens from the Siuaitic Peninsula, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and the Algerian Sahara. The following description is drawn up from such specimens. Body short and depressed, limbs rather slender. Head H to 1= times as long as broad, its length 3i to 4 times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the anterior border of the tympanum ; a more or less distinct lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to the middle or anterior third of the frontal, bounded by very obtuse keels ; snout acutely pointed, about once and a half as long as the postocular part of the head, with sharp canthus and concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head. The hind limb reaches between the collar and the ear, the ear, or betw^een the ear and the eye or, very rarely, the eye in males, the collar, between the collar and the ear, or, rarely, the ear in females ; foot 1 J to 1 ? times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, 1 to IJ times as long as the head. Tail 1 1 to If times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields smooth, flat or feebly convex. Suture between the nasals very short, usually not more than }, rarely i, the length of the frontonasal, which is as long as broad or a little broader than long, as broad as or a little broader than iuternarial space t; prefrontals H to If times as long as broad; frontal shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, 2 to 2| times as long as broad, rounded or truncate in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad or broader than long, outer border straight or concave ; a small occipital often present behind the suture between the parietals. 3 or 4 supraoculars ; first shorter than second, usually entire or accompanied by a granule on the inner side, rarely broken up into * Although females measuring- between 45 aud 50 millim. without the tail, may be gravid. t Longitudinally divided into two in a male from Jerusalem, Acantlioilacfijlus. 99 several small shields and c;raimles ; fourth small, if distiuot, often sej^arated from third )iy granules ; second and third supraoculars separated by one or, rarely, two series of granules from the superciliaries, which are 6 or 7, rarely 5, in number, the first longest and usually in contact with the whole outer border of the first supraocular. Anterior loreal much shorter than second ; 5 upper labials, rarely 4 or 6, to below the centre of the eye ; subocular sharply keeled below the eye, lower border rounded or very openly angular, resting on the fourth, fifth and sixth (rarely fourth and fifth, fifth to seventh, or fourth to seventh) upper labials. Two large upper temporals (rarely one), first the longer ; temporal scales granular, convex or obtusely keeled, upper minute, lower much larger ; a small tympanic shield rarely present ; o to 5 rounded or obtusely pointed lobules usually forming a denticulation in front of the tympanum. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact in the middle. 25 to 41 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtajjosed in front, gradually enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold usually present, sometimes very indistinct. Collar free, curved, composed of 8 to 13 plates. Dorsal scales granular or subrhomboidal, usually feebly keeled, sometimes smooth or flat and rather strongly keeled, scarcely enlarged on the posterior part of the back, 60 to 80, usually 65 to 75, across the middle of the body*; the scales minutely granular on the upper part of the sides, enlarged on the lower part and passing gradually into the ventral plates. Ventral plates mostly as long as broad, but some a little broader than long or a little longer than broad, forming irregular longitudinal and angular transverse series ; 14, rarely 16. very rarely 12, plates in a transverse series in the middle of the body ; 27 to 36 transverse series. Preaual region often covered with small irregular plates, sometimes with an enlarged median plate in front of the vent. 15 to 27 femoral pores on each side, the two series usually meeting in the middle. Fingers with 4 series of scales, the series on each side forming the feeble denticulation ; toes with only 3 series of scales, the serration on the outer side much stronger than that on the inner, very strong on the fourth toe, where the lobes of the fringe at least equal, and usually exceed, the diameter of the toe; 21 to 26 unicarinate, less frequently feebly tri- or quinquecariuate, lamellse under the fourth toe. * Anderson usually gives higher numbers which is due to his having counted higher up than the middle of the body. 100 Lacertidie. Upper caudal scales very oblique and diagonally keeled, those at the base nearly as long as broad, usually strongly, sometimes feebly keeled, lower smooth or feebly keeled in the basal j^art of the tail ; one or two series of small scales usually present on the inid-dorsal line of the basal part of the tail ; 24 to 36 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Gi'eyish above, with a darker reticulation, or with numerous small round whitish dark-edged spots, or with small blackish dots or vermicular lines sometimes forming wavy transverse lines ; lower parts white, the throat sometimes bluish grey ; tail often with a lateral series of blackish spots. Some specimens of a yellowish -grey sand- colour with the markings very indistinct. Young grey above, with numerous round white spots, and two white streaks along each side of the body and a dark streak along each side of the tail, which is ])luish at the end. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. From end of snout to vent . 76 70 65 68 56 50 )> X >> fore limb 30 26 25 24 21 18 Length of head . 19 18 18 16 14 13 Width of head . . 13 12 12 10 9-5 9 Depth of head . . 9 9 9 8 7 6 Fore limb. . 26 23 23 21 22 17 Hind limb . 48 41 44 40 36 34 Foot . 25 20 22 20 18 16 Tail . . 140 115 107 120 90 80 1. J, In Salah. 2. J, Jer usalem. 3. S, Is. of Suez . 4. 9, ] Salah. 5. 9, Cairo. 6. ?,F ayum. In Habitat. — Long known from Egypt, the Siuaitic Peninsula and Palestine, this form has recently been discovered by Dr. C. Chz-isty in Mesopotamia at Basra and by Dr. E. Hartert in the Algerian Sahara, at In Salah, the southernmost point at which zoological collections have been made. Var. LONCIIPES, Boulenger. A form remarkable for its long and slender hind limbs and its very small scales occurs in the interior of the Algerian Sahara along with the var. inoniafus. Head as in the typical form. Hind linili (males) reaching the eye or between the ear and the eye ; foot lA to 1} times as long as the head, fourth toe 14 to 1-^ times. First supraocular entire in the three specimens from Wargla and in the one from El Wed, with one or two Acanthodadylus. lOl small scales on the inner side in the other, fourth broken up into small scales or granules ; one or two series of granules between the second supraocular and the superciliaries, two or three between the third and the superciliaries, which are 4 to 6 in numlier ; a series of granules usually separates the parietals behind the interparietal. Ear with 3 to 5 long pointed lobules. 31 to 42 gular scales in a straight line. Dorsal scales very small, rouudish-subrhomboidal, flat or feebly convex, rather strongly keeled, laterals, above those that merge into the ventral plates, very minute ; G6 to 80 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates mostly as long as broad or longer than broad, not forming longitudinal series, in 31 to 37 transverse series, the broadest of which contain 16 plates. A more or less enlarged preanal plate. 22 to 29 femoral pores on each side. 25 to 30 feebly unicarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. 36 to 40 scales in the fourth or fifth caudal whorl. Yellowish or reddish sand-colour, with faintly marked reticulation and light and dark dots as in the typical A. scutellatus. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb .... Hind limb .... Foot Tail Three male specimens, from Wargla, form part of the Lataste Collection. A fourth was obtained not far from Wargla, between the Wed IST^a and El Alia, near Guerrara, by Dr. E. Hartert in 1912, and a fifth at El Wed, E. of Tuggurt, by Mr. Harding King in 1909. This is probably the larger variety observed by Werner (I.e. 1894) between Mraier and Temacin. Var. AUDOUINI, Boulenger. A female from Wadi Haifa (Anderson Collection) agrees pretty well with one of the figures of L. olivieri of Audouin, and as it differs, as well as the specimens from the same locality associated with it, by a lower number of scales, which are rather strongly keeled, I have decided to U2:)hold Audouiu's lizard in a varietal sense, although the Wargla. Wed N^a. . 62 56 . 25 21 . 16 14 . 10 9 7 6 . 20 20 . 42 40 . 22 21 . 97 100 102 Lacertidx. name olivieri canuot be used for it, having been restricted by Milue- Edwards to the Eremias confounded with it in the Description de rEg-vpte. The shape of the head and the general proportions are much as in the typical form, but the hind limb is often a little shorter, reaching the collar, the ear, or between these two points in males, the axil, the shoulder, the collar, or a little beyond, in females ; tail U to 2 times length of head and body. Dorsal scales rhombic, fiat, juxtaposed or subimbricate, and strongly keeled, the upper laterals often only a little smaller and also keeled ; 60 to 59 -scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 12 or 14 longitudinal series ; 28 to 38 transverse series. 20 to 26 lamellse under the fourth toe. 18 to 26 femoral pores on each side. 24 to 32 caudal scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. The type specimen is represented as with distant blackish dots and a broad light lateral band from the ear to the thigh, bordered by a blackish streak beneath, and broken up here and there on the body by dark vertical lines. The specimen from Wadi Haifa mentioned above has the white lateral band continuous and edged above by a series of ocellar spots. Other specimens from the same locality are greyish, speckled, vermiculated or reticulated with blackish. Among specimens from Tripoli and Tunisia, some are speckled above and ocellated on the sides (males), or uniform grey with a whitish dark-edged lateral band and a blackish streak along each side of the tail (females) or with traces of the markings of the young. Young (from Homs, Tripoli) with white streaks, 4 dorsals and one on each side, the inter- spaces dark grey with small w-hite spots ; limbs with large round white spots ; tail red in some specimens, l)lue in others. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. From end of snout to vent . . 72 75 65 62 64 60 „ fore limb . 28 27 23 23 22 19 Length of head . . . . 18 18 16 16 15 14 Width of head . . . . 12 12 10 11 10 9 Depth of head . . . . 9 10 8 8 7-5 7 Fore limb 25 25 21 22 20 19 Hind limb 46 45 39 39 38 33 Foot 24 23 19 20 19 18 Tail . . r^ .. . .120 137 118 — 112 95 1. (^.Wadi Haifa. 2. S, Homs. 3. (^ , Wed El KreiL 4. ?, Wadi Haifa. 5. 9 , Homs. 6. 9 , Duirat. Habitat.— Egyi)t, Nubia, Tripoli, and Southern Tunisia. Acanthodacfyhis, 103 Var. AUREUS, Giinther. The specimens from the extreme west of the Sahara (Eio de Oro and Cape Jubi) agree with the typical form in the longer snout,* with the var. i)iornatus in the large, strongly keeled dorsal scales, and differ from both in the subocular resting nearly constantly on two upper labials only, the fourth and the fifth. t Apart from the number of labials, this form is easily distinguished from the var. inornatus by the narrower snout, more suddenly con- stricted from the base. The hind limb reaches the collar or between the collar and the ear in males, the shoulder or the collar, rarely a little beyond, in females. Tail li^ to 1^ times as long as head and body. Four well-developed supraoculars ; 5 or 6, rarely 7, super- ciliaries ; one series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, one in front and two behind ; sometimes^ the series of granules is incomplete, and the second supraocular is in contact with the second, or second and third, superciliaries ; 2 or 3 (rarely 4) rather large, obtusely pointed lobules in front of the ear ; third pair of chin-shields sometimes§ separated in the middle. 25 to 36 gular scales in a straight line. Dorsal scales flat, juxtaposed or subimbri- cate, strongly keeled ; 42 to 58 scales across the middle of the body, usually 46 to 55. Ventral plates in 14 (rarely 12) irregular longi- tudinal and 30 to 34 transverse series, mostly as long as broad or a little broader than long, or a few of them considerably broader than long. Basal upper caudal scales usually a little broader than long, usually without median series of small scales ; 22 to 30 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. 17 to 26 femoral pores on each side, usually 20 to 24. 19 to 23 lamellae under the fourth toe. Grey, yellow, or green above, uniform or with small or large dark dots, vermiculations or reticulations ; females sometimes with six pale grey longitudinal streaks bearing series of small blackish spots, or with six nuclial and four dorsal series of small blackish spots. Young marked as in A. valgarif!, with white streaks separated by black ones, six on the nape, the median pair fusing to one on the anterior part of the back, four on the posterior part of the back, and three on the base of the tail ; limbs with large round white spots ; tail blue at the end. * The specimeu fitfured by Giinther (I.e., p. 299) as the typical form repre- sents the var. inornatus, distinguished from the var. aureus by a shorter snout. t Two exceptions (subocuhir resting on fifth and sixth labials) among some 30 specimens from the Rio de Oro. X 9 specimens. § 3 specimens. 104 Lacertidie. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent „ ,. ,, foi'e liml) Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot Tail (? ? 62 55 24 20 16 14 12 9 8 7 21 19 37 32 19 16 112 85 Habitat.- Sahara. -Cape Jubi, Southern Morocco, and Eio de Oro, Spanish Var. INOENATUS, Gray {exigims, Lataste). Size smaller than in the typical form, not exceeding 60 millim. from snout to vent. Head usually less than 4 times in length to vent. Snout a little shorter, usually less than once and a half the length of postocular part of head, the keels bordering the depression in the prefrontals and frontal plates usually stronger ; hind limb rarely reaching the eye in the males,* usually the collar or between the collar and the ear, the shoulder, the collar, or between the collar and the ear in females ; foot 1\ to \\ times as long as the head, fourth toe not or but slightly longer than the head. Tail li to 2 times as long as head and body. Prefrontals ll- to \l times as long as l)road ; frontal 1| to 2 times as long as broad ; subocular usually resting on fourth, fifth and sixth upper labials, rarely on fifth, sixth, and seventh, or fourth and fifth ; auricular lobules sometimes absent, sometimes rather long and pointed. Scales usually more rhombic or fiat than granular, more or less strongly keeled, rarely feebly keeled,! 40 to 65, usually 46 to 58, across the middle of the body. Veutrals sometimes forming more regular longitudinal series, usually 14, rarely 12 or 16, in number; 29 to 35 transverse series ; in some of the specimens most of the ventrals decidedly broader than long. 23 to 37 gular scales in a straight line. 16 to 25 femoral pores on each side, usually 17 to 23. 18 to 25 lamell;e under the fourth toe. 22 to 35 scales in the fourth or fifth caudal whorl. Pale grey or yellowish or reddish sand-colour, or almost brick-red, sometimes uniform, more often with a darker i-eticulation or with * Male from Aiii Sefra. t Female from Bon Saada. A ca n tJiodacfyl us. 105 small light or dark spots or dots ; females sometimes with a whitish lateral streak edged below by a dark one rimuing along each side of the belly and bearing a series of round white spots, exceptionally* with four dorsal streaks darker than the ground-colour or bearing light spots or whitish or bluish grey each with a series of black spots, and with a black lateral streak on the tail ; such females evidently derived from young bearing white longitudinal streaks ; other young merely reticulate like many of the adults. t Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. From end of snout to vent . 60 54 53 50 >> '• > fore limb 23 21 20 19 Length of head 16 14 14 14 Width of head . 10 10 9 9 Depth of head 8 7 7 7 Fore liml) . 21 19 19 18 Hind limb 37 33 31 30 Foot . 19 16 16 15 Tail . 110 25 90 78 J', Hadjira. 2. S, Bou Saada • 3. 9, Tripoli (<^.ype). 4. Bou Saada. The habitat of this variety is confined to Tripoli, the Tunisian and Algerian Sahara, whence it penetrates into the southern sandy parts of the Plateaux. Var. DUMERILl, M.-Edwards. Resembles the var. inornatus in the small size, and the form of the head and body, but foot longer, 1^ to 1^ times the length of the head ; hind limb reaching the collar, or, usually, between the collar and the ear ; tail 1.] to 2 times length of head and body. Frontal 2 to 2^ times as long as broad ; parietals always broader than long ; first supraocular often with one to three small shields detached from it on the inner side, fourth often disintegrated into small shields and granules ; 5 or 6 superciliaries ; one series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, or one in front and two behind ; subocular resting on the fourth, fifth and sixth, or fifth, sixth and seventh, rarely fourth and fifth, upper labials ; 3 to 5 rounded or obtusely pointed auricular lobules ; 20 to 30 (usually 22 to 27) gular scales in a straight line. Dorsal scales rhombic, * Three from Bou Saada, six from Am Sefra. t As in A. pardalis, young specimens appear to be seldom met with. 106 Lacertidm. juxtaposed or subimbricate, strongly keeled, much larger than the scales on the upper part of the sides ; ;i7 to 55 scales across the middle of the body, usually 39 to 48. Ventral plates mostly a little broader thau long, some occasionally much ))roader than long, usually iu regular longitudinal and feebly angular transverse series ; 28 to 35 transverse series, the longest of which contain usually 12 plates, sometimes 14, very rarely 10. 14 to 20 femoral pores on each side,* usually 14 to 18. 19 to 22 lamellae under the fourth toe. Basal upper caudal scales often a little broader than long ; 22 to 30 caudal scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Adult grey or pale reddish brown above, with numerous round light spots, or with dark and light spots, often with three dark longitudinal streaks and with a dark lateral band spotted with white ; l)asal part of the tail with three dark streaks. Young usually with four whitish longitudinal streaks on the upper surface and one on each side ; sometimes closely spotted with white and with merely the lateral white streak, as in the typical form. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, ,, fore limb . Length of head Width of head Depth of head .... Fore limb Hind limb .... Foot Tail 1. cJ, Dakar. 2. 9 , Dakar. 3. ?, Senegal (type). Habitat. — West Africa, from Mauritania to Cape Verd. Particulars of Specimens Examined. 1. 2. a. . 52 55 49 . 20 19 17 . 14 13 11 . 10 9 7 . 8 7 6 . 18 18 16 . 35 31 30 . 19 17 16 . 95 88 — Forma tijpica. S Cairo . <? „ . „ Giza, uear Cairo . 64 69 14 •A\ 11 30 22-23 21 5 . 56 72 14 33 9 29 24 22 5 . 50 62 14 30 9 29 19 22 5 . 59 69 14 32 10 30 20-21 22 .5 . 53 67 14 30 12 27 20-21 23 5 . 58 65 12 33 9 33 20-21 22 5 . 49 64 14 32 10 32 18-20 24 6-5 . 49 68 14 32 10 38 21 22 6-5 * Sometimes 12 or 13 accordiiiir to Boetttier. Acanthodactylus. 107 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. $ Deraare, Libyan Desei t . . oi» 62 14 32 10 36 21-22 21 6-5 „ Wadi Natron, Egypt 72 71 14 32 11 31 21-23 20 5 ,, „ „ . 68 76 14 33 11 38 20-22 24 6-5 »» S> ff . 55 65 14 30 12 29 20-22 23 5 S> JJ .49 72 14 30 10 29 21 21 5 ? ,, „ . 58 80 14 36 12 34 21 21 5 ,, ., „ . 58 69 14 34 11 33 21 24 5 »» jj j» . 53 77 14 33 10 29 21-20 23 5 „ ,, „ . 50 64 14 32 9 27 20-21 22 5 ,, ,, „ . 44 72 14 31 11 30 20 23 5 ,, ,, „ . 41 71 14 29 9 25 16-15 22 5 (? Fayuiii . 62 60 14 31 13 28 22 26 5 ? ., . - . 50 68 14 30 8 26 18-19 23 5 ^ Wadi Haifa, Nubia . 70 65 14 31 9 35 23-24 24 5 ? ... 61 66 14 34 11 32 22-24 22 5 ,. .. ,, . 56 66 14 33 10 35 18-21 22 4-5 „ Moses Wells, Suez . 57 69 14 33 13 33 21-20 22 5 J Isthmus of Suez . 65 75 14 31 n 31 22 21 24 5 ? . 56 72 14 27 9 28 19-20 21 5 S In Salah, Alger. Sahai a . .77 66 14 33 9 29 20 21 5 o 4. •• »? . 68 67 16 31 10 29 ]8 21 5 „ „ ,, . 62 67 14 33 10 32 19-20 21 5 S Wed Hebron, Sinai . 64 71 14 33 8 31 22-21 23 5 ? . 55 68 14 33 10 29 22-20 22 6-5 tJ Jaffa . . 68 70 14 35 10 38 27-26 24 5 ,, .. . 62 69 14 33 10 39 26-25 22 5 ,, „ . 57 71 14 34 11 31 23-24 21 5 ? „ . . . . 52 75 14 34 11 39 26-24 21 5 (J Jerusalem . 70 75 14 32 10 38 26 23 5 2 ,, . • . 59 73 16 35 11 41 27-26 24 5 ,. ., ■ ■ . 47 75 10 35 10 38 23 22 5 S Basra, Mesopotamia . 57 02 12 29 9 31 21-23 21 5 Var. longipes. S Wargla, Alger. Sahara „ Wed Nva-El Alia, Alger. Sahara „ El Wed, E. of Tuggurt, „ 62 75 16 33 39 26-25 27 34 59 80 16 37 7 34 25-24 30 5 55 77 16 32 11 40 27-29 29 5 56 75 16 31 10 42 25-24 25 5 60 65 16 33 10 31 23-22 26 5-6 Var. andouini. <J Wadi Haifa, Nubia ^ Honis, Tripoli . 72 56 14 32 11 31 23 23 . 72 57 14 32 11 31 21-22 26 . 70 54 14 30 11 29 21 22 . 62 55 14 32 10 34 19-21 24 . 64 59 14 30 9 29 18-20 22 . 73 52 14 31 11 28 21-20 20 108 (J Homs, Tripoli ? cJ Duiiat, Tunisia (J Wed el Kreil, Tunisia Lacertidx. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. . 68 53 14 35 15 34 21 21 5 . 62 52 14 37 15 38 21-24 22 5 . 67 50 14 33 12 30 19 20 5 . 65 59 14 34 13 32 26-25 21 5 . 63 5U 12 32 10 34 23-24 21 5 . 60 53 12 34 12 30 22 20 5 . 60 55 12 33 12 30 20 21 5 . 57 52 14 35 8 30 19-20 20 5 . 54 57 12 33 10 30 19 22 5 . 64 53 14 33 12 30 24-23 23 5 Var. aureus. S K. de Oro (type) S Cape Jubi ? 62 46 14 30 10 30 23-25 22 4 61 55 12 32 11 35 22-24 22 4-5 60 51 14 33 11 36 22 22 4 58 50 14 31 9 29 21 23 4 58 53 14 33 8 33 23-21 21 4 58 55 14 31 10 32 23 21 4 58 50 12 32 8 33 24-26 22 4 56 53 14 31 10 26 22 20 4 54 55 14 33 10 30 22-23 20 4 53 47 14 32 11 28 24-25 20 4 58 47 14 33 9 25 21-20 19 4 55 51 12 32 10 30 21-22 21 5 53 53 14 34 11 29 21 20 4 53 58 14 31 11 29 20 21 4 53 46 14 31 12 30 23-24 21 4 53 53 14 32 9 31 22-23 21 4 53 54 14 32 10 33 21-22 21 4 52 42 14 30 8 28 20-19 20 4 52 47 14 33 9 32 22-23 23 4 52 48 14 33 9 28 21-20 23 4 47 54 12 31 10 32 19-20 20 4 47 48 14 32 9 31 20-21 21 4 56 50 14 31 7 28 21-19 21 4 50 53 14 30 10 25 17 20 4 50 49 14 30 10 27 22-21 22 4 48 52 14 30 10 30 21-20 20 5-4 Var. inornatus ? Tripoli (type) . (J S. of Gafsa, Tunisia „ Hou Saada, Algeria 53 54 12 34 14 23 19-18 20 55 53 12 33 10 33 20-19 21 52 52 14 31 IL' 26 22-21 21 5 51 52 14 35 10 31 22-23 21 5 51 49 14 35 14 28 24 22 5-( 49 50 14 30 14 25 20-22 21 5 Acanthodaci yhis . 109 g Bovi Saada $ Bled Ahiiiar 9 (J Tibreint-Lac ., Laffhoiiat „ Biskra S El Wed, Souf 5 Tuggurt „ Mraier . $ Wed Nva-El Alia S Guerrara „ Hadjira houat <J Wargla 2 „ (J Wai-gla-El Golea 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1 . 8. 9. 46 58 14 31 14 28 21-22 23 5-6 46 43 14 31 11 26 21 21 4-5 51 53 14 32 10 24 21 22 5 50 53 14 32 11 30 22 20 5 49 46 14 32 10 26 20-19 21 5 47 50 14 32 10 27 23-21 21 5 45 46 14 30 10 29 20-22 23 5 50 52 14 30 9 29 21 21 5 51 52 14 30 10 25 19 22 o 52 45 14 32 9 23 19-18 21 5 52 55 14 31 10 32 22-21 21 5 50 52 14 32 10 29 19 22 5 48 48 14 33 10 30 18-19 21 o 47 57 14 32 10 29 21-19 21 5 44 40 14 32 12 27 20-19 22 5 40 62 14 31 9 29 20 23 6-5 50 60 14 32 10 26 19-18 21 5 57 55 14 31 12 33 20-22 20 5 55 56 14 32 11 30 19-18 20 5 53 62 12 33 10 31 21 22 5 52 51 14 32 13 28 22-21 20 4 52 53 14 33 12 24 22-20 19 5 50 53 14 32 9 33 21-23 22 5 53 46 14 35 9 31 20-21 21 6-5 51 45 14 32 12 27 24 23 6 50 58 14 32 10 34 2-1-23 21 5 50 49 14 32 10 30 19-20 21 6 54 46 14 32 12 30 23 23 5 60 52 12 32 12 28 25-22 21 5 57 57 14 33 9 30 21 oo 5 54 50 14 32 9 29 20 23 6-5 49 49 14 33 10 25 19-18 23 5 49 58 14 31 10 31 21-22 23 5 54 53 14 33 9 26 18-20 22 5-6 52 57 16 34 9 27 20-21 23 5 50 54 14 31 10 27 22 21 5 49 58 14 32 ( 32 19-20 24 5 49 55 16 35 9 28 17-18 20 5 49 52 14 30 11 28 18-20 22 5 48 52 14 31 n 29 20-21 20 5 46 46 14 31 12 26 19 20 5 45 58 12 32 10 29 19 21 o 41 48 14 32 12 26 19 21 5 50 55 14 30 9 24 19-18 20 5 52 49 14 33 12 32 21-20 21 5 52 63 14 32 13 29 21 20 5 50 49 14 32 10 27 19-21 22 5 no ^ Wargla-El Goloa „ El Golea-Fort Miribel 9 g All! Scfra, Oian Vai". chnnprili. J Ti'rti'za Country, Mauritania „ Senegal (type of L. dumerili) P.M. (J ,. P.M. ,, Leybar, nr. St. Louis, Senegal ,, Dakar, Senegal . (? Cape Verd, L.I Hgr. Cape Verd La c fir tlJx 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. . 50 57 14 30 10 31 21-23 25 5 . 45 54 14 34 13 28 20 24 5 . 47 56 14 32 12 30 21 21 5 . 46 47 14 30 9 27 17 20 5 . 42 52 14 31 11 29 20-23 20 5 . 42 52 14 33 11 26 16 20 5 . 68 62 10 32 13 36 18 19 5 . 65 60 14 29 10 35 19-22 20 5 . 50 48 14 30 13 27 17-18 18 5 49 65 14 32 11 37 23-21 22 6 . 53 56 14 34 15 29 20-22 22 5 . 52 48 16 34 12 25 17-18 19 4 . 51 45 14 30 10 25 18 18 5 . 48 51 14 32 11 28 17 22 5 . 48 54 14 31 12 25 19 20 5 . 48 50 14 32 12 29 19 22 6-5 . 48 46 14 30 11 24 16-17 20 5-4 . 44 57 14 31 13 29 21 20 5 . 51 40 12 28 8 24 14 21 5 . 45 42 12 28 11 22 18 21 6 . 41 41 12 29 9 25 16 20 4-5 . 51 39 12 33 10 24 16-17 20 5 . 47 40 14 32 11 25 17 20 5-6 . 43 41 12 33 9 24 17 20 5 . 43 49 12 30 12 26 16 19 5-6 . 43 39 12 30 9 25 15-16 20 5 . 42 48 12 33 9 27 17-15 21 5 . 42 44 12 30 9 22 17 i2 5 . 41 47 10 32 10 23 16-15 19 5 . 40 39 14 30 10 23 15-16 21 6-5 . 40 42 12 32 8 24 15-16 21 6-5 . 40 37 12 30 10 22 15-14 20 5 . 40 40 12 30 10 20 15 20 5 . 40 41 12 34 12 26 20-19 22 5 . 40 42 12 31 9 24 15 20 5 . 49 55 14 31 10 2b 2U-19 21 5 . 49 48 12 32 10 31 15 19 5 . 38 50 14 31 9 26 17-18 20 5 57 46 12 35 9 30 19-20 19 5 52 48 14 29 9 26 14-15 19 5 . 49 45 14 31 10 24 16-17 20 5 . 55 50 12 33 10 25 16 22 5 . 51 42 12 30 10 27 14-15 21 5 38 41 12 30 8 27 16 20 5 38 42 12 28 7 23 14 20 5-6 Acantliodactylna. \\\ Synopsis of the Varieties. I. Snout about U length of postocular part of head. A. Usually 5 upper labials to below centre of eye Scales smooth or feebly keeled, rarely strongly keeled, 60 to 80 (usually 05 to 75) across middle of body; ventral plates 14 (rarely 12 or 16) in the longest transverse series ; hind limb rarely reaching the eye ; 21 to 26 lamella under the fourth too <a, 1 i 1 , , , Forma typira. Scales strongly keeled, 65 to 80 across middle of body ; ventral plates 16 in the longest transverse series ; hind limb reaching the eye, or between the ear and the eye (males) ; 25 to 30 lamella? under the fourth toe ' v , ■ t^, e 1 , , , , , * '^1'- lonqtves, Blo-r. Scales strongly keeled, 50 to 59 across middle of body • ventral " plates 14 (rarely 12) in the longest transverse series • hind hmb not reaching beyond the ear ; 20 to 26 lamellae under the fourth toe ^r „ „ , ■ ■ ' ■ V ar. ai((?ou/m;, Blgr. B. Usually 4 upper labials to below centre of eye Scales strongly keeled, 42 to 58 (usually 46 to 55) across middle of body; ventral plates 14 (rarely 12) in the longest trans- verse series; hind limb not reaching the ear; 19 to '>3 lamellae under the fourth toe v~ II Q„ .,,,,,, „ • Var. aHcews, Gthr. II. Snout not U length of postocular part of head; scales strongly keeled • usually 5 or 6 upper labials to below centre of eye ; 18 to 25 lamelte under the fourth toe. 40 to 65 (usually 46 to 58) scales across middle of bo.ly • ventral plates 14 (rarely 12 or 16) in the longest transverse series; foot 14 to H length of head ; 16 to 25 (usually 17 to 23) femoral pores on each side v.., • Q»7 <-„ re / n ,„ , ■ ' ■ *^i- mornatiis. Gray. 37 to 55 (u.sually 39 to 48) scales across middle of b„dy • ventral plates 12 (rarely 10 or 14) in the longest transverse series- foot H to li length of head ; 12 to 20 (usually 14 to 18) femoral pores on each side V-^r. dumeriU,M.-Ed^. Taken in the wide sense, A. scntellatus shows an enormous range of vanat.on m the number of scales and plates, viz. : scales across body 37-8U; longitudinal series of ventrals, 10-16; transverse series of ventrals, 27-38; collar-plates, 7-15; gular scales, 20-42- femoral pores, 12-29 ; lamellae under fourth toe, 18-30. 11. ACANTHODACTYLUS FEASEEI. Acantlwdadylus fraseri, Bouleng. Journ. Bomb. N. H Soc xxv iyi8, p. 373, and Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 148. Habit rather slender, body moderately depressed. Head U to U tunes as long as broad, its length 3-t or 4 times m length to vent its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum ; a lanceolate concavity from the frontonasal to "the middle 112 Lacertidie. uf the frontal ; snout olitiisely pointed, 1;^, times as lont,^ as the post- ocular part of the head, with rather sharp canthus and scarcely concave loreal region ; nasals feebly swollen. Pileus twice as lonj^ as broad. Neclc narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the collar; foot \\ to It, times as long as the head ; fourth toe, from the base of the fifth, as long as the head. Tail 1;; times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex, smooth or slightly rugose. Suture between the nasals 7 the length of the frontonasal, which is a little broader than long and broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals a little longer than liroad, forming an extensive median suture ; frontal shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, If to If times as long as broad, rounded in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad, or slightly broader than long, outer l)order concave. 3 or 4 large supraoculars, first shorter than second, fourth small or replaced bv granules ; 5 or 6 superciliaries, first longest and in contact with the first supraocular, the others separated from the supraoculars bv a series of granules. Anterior loreal shorter than second ; 4 upper labials to below the centre of the eye, the fourth the longest ; subocular sharply keeled below the eye and forming an angle wedged in between the fourth and fifth upper labials. A strongly keeled upper temporal, followed by one or two smaller shields ; temporal scales granular, smooth, upper very small, lower large ; a narrow tympanic shield ; 4 pointed scales forming a denticulation in front of the ear-opening. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the three first in contact in the middle. 28 or 29 imbricate gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, enlarged towards the collar. Collar free, curved, composed of 10 or 11 plates. Scales granular and smooth or feebly keeled on the nape, rhombic and strongly keeled on the body, larger and subimbricate towards the tail, a little smaller on the sides ; 48 to 50 scales across the middle of the body, 18 to 20 in a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates tessellated, forming angular ti'ansverse series, as long- as broad, or slightly broader than long ; 29 or 30 transverse series, the longest containing 16 plates. Preanal plates small and irregular in the female ; male with a median series of three transversely enlarged plates. 18 to 23 femoral pores on each side, the two series narrowly separated in the middle. Fingers feebly serrated, with 4 series of scales ; toes more strongly serrated, especially on the outer side of the fourth, the denticles of which are a little shorter than the diameter of the toe ; 19 to 23 strongly uuicarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Acanthodacti/hts. 113 Ui^per caudal scales much larger than the posterior dorsals, oljlique, obtusely pointed, strongly and diagonally keeled, the basals nearly as long as broad, lower feebly keeled, smooth in the basal part ; 28 or 30 scales in the fourth 'whorl. G-reyish above, with four longitudinal series of small daiker spots on the back and a rather indistinct darker network on the body white beneath. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent „ ,, ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot Tail <? 9 73 60 29 22 19 15 13 9 9 7 24 20 41 32 22 18 — 102 Particulars of the Type Specimens. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. . 73 48 16 29 11 29 23-20 23 4 . 60 50 16 30 10 28 18 19 4 This species is established ou two specimens obtained by Capt. F. C. Eraser at Zobeya, Shariba, Lower Mesopotamia. The male is preserved in the British Museum ; the female is iu the Museum of the Bombay Natural History Society. 12. ACANTHODACTTLUS G-EANDIS. Acanthodactylus cjrandis, Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (8) iv, 1909, p. 189, and Bull. Soc. Zool. France, 1918, p. 148. Form stout, heavy, body depressed. Head \\ to 1^ times as long as broad, its length about 4 times in length to vent, its depth equal to the distance between the centre or the anterior corner of the eye and the tympanum ; cheeks swollen ; a lanceolate concavity fi'om the frontonasal to the middle of the frontal ; snout obtuse or pointed, as long as postocular part of head, with obtuse cauthus and feebly concave loreal region ; nasals rather strongly swollen. Pileus twice as long as broad. The hind limb reaches the axil or the shoulder ; foot as long as or slightly longer than the head ; fourth toe, from the base VOL. II. 8 114 Lacertidn'. of the fifth, a little shorter than the head. Tail If to If times as long as head and body. Upper head-shields convex and smooth, sometimes a little rugose in the adult. Suture lietweeu the nasals very short ; frontonasal broader than long, broader than the internarial space ; prefrontals as long as broad or a little longer ; frontal shoi-ter than its distance from the end of the snout, 11 to 1] times as long as broad, rounded in front, narrow behind ; parietals as long as broad, outer border straight or concave. Four supraoculars, first and fourth sometimes broken up, or separated from their fellows by a series of granules ; a single series of granules between the supraoculars and the super- ciliaries, which are 6 to 8 in number. Anterior loreal shorter than second ; subocular not reaching the mouth, its lower ])order wedged in between the fourth and fifth or fifth and sixth upper labials. A large upper temporal, followed liy a smaller one ; temporal scales granular, convex, lower larger ; tympanic shield present ; 4 or 5 pointed scales form a denticulation in front of the ear. 5 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact in the middle. 28 to 35 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, imbricate but only slightly enlarged towards the collar ; gular fold very indistinct. Collar curved, free, strongly toothed, composed of 10 or 11 plates. Dorsal scales very small, round, granular, convex, smooth, hardly enlarged on the posterior part of the back ; 58 to 64 scales across the middle of the body. A'entral plates not or l)ut little broader than long, forming 16 or 18 (rai'ely 14) very oblique longitudinal series and 31 or 32 angular transverse series. Preanal region covered with small and subequal plates. 16 to 24 femoral pores on each side, the two series meeting or narrowly separated in the middle. Fingers with 4 series of scales, a lateral series on each side forming the feeble denticulation ; toes with only 3 series of scales, the lateral denticulation very short and not more developed on the outer than on the inner side ; 20 uni- or tricarinate lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales very oblique, those at the base as long as broad or a little broader than long and smooth or feebly keeled, lower smooth ; 26 or 28 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. Greyish or fawn-colour above, with at least traces of 8 longitudinal series of dark spots on whitish streaks ; the dark spots form transverse bands on the tail ; sides of head with more or less distinct vertical dark bars ; lower parts white, tinged with yellow on the limbs and tail. OagirophoUs. 116 Measurements (in millimetres) : S ? From end of snout to vent . . . 103 95 fore limb . .40 35 Length of head ..... 25 23 Wid^th of head 20 18 Depth of head Fore limb , Hind limb . Foot . Tail . 15 14 33 31 53 48 25 24 162 — Particulars of Specimens Examined (types). 1. 2. 3. 4. 3. 6. 7. 8. 9. (J Khan Agach 103 60 16 31 11 28 20-18 20 5 80 61 18 31 10 30 22-24 20 4 ? Jerud 95 64 16 32 10 35 22-23 20 4 This fine lizard, the yiant of the yeuus Acantliodactylus, was discovered a few years ago in Syria ]\v M. Henri Gadeau de Kerville, who obtained several specimens at Jerud and Ata'ibe, east" of Damascus, and near Khan Agach, between Damascus and Kutaife. 7. GASTROPHOLIS. GastrophoUs, J. G. Fischer, Al)h. Nat. Ver. Haml). ix, 1886, i, p. 1 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 7 (1887). Head-shields normal. Nostril pierced between the nasal and a postnasal.* Lower eyelid scaly. Collar well marked. Dorsal scales small, juxtaposed ; ventral plates obtusely pointed, imbricate, keeled. Digits subcylin- drical, with smooth scales inferiorly. Femoral pores. Tail long, cylindrical. East Africa. Apart from the keeled ventral plates this genus shows the characters of Nucras, but it is eciually related to Lacerta, as the form and lepi- dosis have more in common with L. echinata than with any other * This statement has been challenged by Tornier, who appeals to a photo- graphic figure given by him to show that I must have been mistaken. This figure is, howevei-, so blurred that it fails to establish his point. I can make no correction to my original definition of the genus. 11(5 Lacerfiihe. species of the Lacertidie ; it appears prol^al>le that there is a direct relationship between G. vittata aud L. echinata, although we cannot point to any known species to account for their common derivation, There also seems to be a distinct affinity with Bedriarjaia. 1. GASTROPHOLIS VITTATA. Gastro])holis vittata, J. G. Fisch. I.e. pi. i, fig. 1 ; Bouleug. I.e. Gastro2)hoIis httzei, Tornier, Zool. Jahrb., Syst. xiii, 1900, p. 591, fig. Gastrojiholis 2'rasina, Werner, Zool. Anz. xxvii, 1904, p. 462. Body depressed. Head rather strongly depressed, fiat above, nearlv twice as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length nearly 4 times in length to vent ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head. Upper surface of head slightly rugose. No parietal fora- men. Pterygoid teeth absent. Neck narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the elbow of the adpressed fore limb ; foot as long as the head ; digits slender, compressed distally, somewhat bent at the articulations. Tail 2^ times as long as head aud body.* Nostril pierced between two shields ; nasals small, forming a very short suture behind the rostralf ; frontonasal as long as broad or a little broader ; prefrontals forming an extensive suture ; frontal 1^ to li times as long as broad, shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, broader than the supraoculars, but slightly broader in front than behind, its anterior border somewhat trilobate ; frontoparietals as long as the frontal ; parietals If times as long as broad, outer border convex ; interparietal twice as long as broad ; occipital shorter and broader than the interparietal,; from which it may be separated by a small shield. Four supraoculars, first small and on a line with the superciliaries, second slightly longer than third, fourth much larger than first ; 6 or 7 superciliaries§ ; usually 2 or 3 small scales l)etween the supraoculars aud the superciliaries. || A single postnasal, forming a suture with the frontonasal ; anterior loreal not half as long as second, or fused with it ; 4 or 5 upper labials^ anterior to * 3 times in the tyi^e of G. prasina. t Rostral in contact with the frontonasal in the type of G. Ixdzei. X As long- and twice as broad in the type of G. prasitKi. § 5 in the type of G. hiisei. \\ Only one in the type of G. lutzei, none in the specimen from Morogoro. t 3 on one side in the type of G. lutzei, 6-7 in the type of G. irrasina. GastrnphoUs. 117 the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above ; temporal scales small, subequal, mostly hexagonal. Gular scales large, flat, and smooth anteriorly, larger, subimbricate, and feebly keeled towards the collar, 22 to 28 between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate ; gular fold feeble. Collar even-edged, composed of 9 to 11* feel>ly keeled plates. Scales on the body oval or rhombic, juxtai^osed, feebly keeled, largest on the sides ; 25 or 26 scales across the middle of the liody.t Ventral plates rather strongly keeled, longer than broad, the over- lapping posterior border obtusely pointed, in 12 longitudinal and 32 or 33 transverse series. Preanal region covered with two transverse series of irregular keeled plates, of which an anterior and a posterior pair may be enlarged. Scales on upper surface of tibia rhombic, feebly keeled, smaller than largest dorsals. 10 to 12 femoral pores on each side. J 24 to 30 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled, very obtusely jjointed behind, in more or less distinctly longer and shorter w^horls alternately, 2-4 to 28 in the fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Female pale brown above, with a broad white, black-edged dorso- lateral streak from the nape to the base of the tail ; tail with two series of white spots, the continuation of the dorsolateral streaks ; lower parts white. The male {G. prasina) is described by Werner as bluish green above, tail with black and white spots, greenish white beneath. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . ,, „ ,, fore limb Length of head . Width of head . Depth of head Fore limb . Hind limb . Foot . Tail . The types of this species, two females preserved in the British Museum, once formed part of Dr. J. G. Fischer's collection, and are * 13 in the type of G. lutzci. t 21 in the type of G. lutzei, 32 in the type hi G. pvasina. X 13-14 in the types of G. lutzei and prasina. § After Werner. 109 ? (ty 82 pes). 80 — 30 29 27-5 21 20 12-5 11 11 — 9 9 34-5 26 25 50-5 38 35 — 21 20 326 195 1. 2_ 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8 82 25 32 11 28 11 oT) 5 80 26 33 9 22 10-11 26 5 80 26 32 9 23 12 24 4 118 Lacertidx. stated to be from Zauzibar. A third specimen, from Liudi, ex-German East Africa, preserved in the Berlin Museum, is recorded by Nieden, Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berl. vii, 1913, p. 75, and I have examined a fourth, procured by Mr. A. Loveridii^e at Morogoro, ex-G-ermaii East Africa. G. Ivtzei (female) is from Tanga, and G. 2J'>'asina (male) is from Usambara, both also in ex-German East Africa. Although I have not seen the types of the two species referred to in the synonymy, I entertain no douT)t that they are based on mere individual and sexual differences. Partimlnrs of Specimen? Ea:ai)uiied. 9 Zanzibar (type) „ Morogoro, N.M. . 1. Length from snout to V6>nt (in millimetres). 2. Scales across middle of body. 3. Transverse series of ventral plates. 4. Collar-plates. 5. Scales between symphysis of chin-shields and median plate of collar. 6. Femoral pores on each side. 7. Lamellar scales under fourth toe. 8. Upper labials anterior to subocular. 8. BEDRIAGAIA. Bedriagaia, Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N". H. (8) xviii, 1916, p. 112. Head-shields normal. Nostril pierced between the nasal, a postnasal, the rostral, and the first upper laliial. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar well marked. Dorsal scales large, rhombic, imbricate, and keeled ; ventral plates obtusely pointed, imbricate, and keeled. Digits coin- pressed, with smooth scales inferiorly. Femoral pores. Tail very long, cylindrical. Central Africa. This genus is intermediate between AJyiroides and Poroiiiera, agreeing with the former iu the dorsal lepidosis, with the latter in the ventral, in which it resembles also Gadroiiholis. 1. BEDEIAGAIA TROPIDOPHOLIS. Bedriagaia tropidopholis, Bouleng. t.e, \). 113, and Rev. Zool. Afr. vii, 1919, p. 14; Schmidt, Bull. Amer. Mus. N. H. xxxix, 1919, p. 497, figs., pi. xxii. Bedriagaia. 119 Body moderately depressed. Head rather strongly depressed, but occipital reqioii convex, 1| to 1^ times as long- as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length nearly 4^ times in length to vent ; snout obtusely pointed, as long as postocular part of head. Pileus twice as long as broad. Parietal foramen present, but very indistinct. Neck as broad as the head. The hind limb reaches the elbow of the adjiressed fore limb or nearly the axil ; foot longer than the head ; digits slender, compressed throughout, somewhat bent at the articulations. Tail nearly 8 times as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between four shields ; nasals small, forming a very short suture behind the rostral ''■'■ ; frontonasal a little broader than long ; prefrontals forming an extensive suture ; frontal 1^ times as long as broad, a little shorter than its distance from the end of the snout, as broad as the supraoculars, but slightly broader in front than behiud ; frontoparietals uearly as long as the frontal ; parietals 1^ times as long as broad, outer border convex ; interparietal scarcely longer than broad, or nearly twice as long as broad, as long as or a little longer than the occipital, which is broader, uearly as broad as the frontal. t Four supraoculars, first small, second and third equal, fourth small but larger than first and in contact with the upper temporal ; 5 or 6 superciliaries, first or second longest ; granular scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries absent or reduced to two. A single postnasal, forming a suture with the frontonasal ; anterior loreal y or f the length of second ; 5 upper labials anterior to the subocular, which is as long beneath as above ; two elongate upper temporals ; temporal scales rather large, subequal, obtusely keeled. Pterygoid teeth absent. Gular scales granular in front, larger and feebly keeled behind, with a median patch of gradually enlarged and imbricate scales in the middle towards the collar ; 24 to 28 scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate ; uo gular fold. Collar very strongly serrated, composed of 8 or 9 rather large plates. Scales on nape granular and keeled, on body large, rhombic, imbri- cate and diagonally keeled, passing gradually into the ventral j^lates ; 24 or 25 scales across the middle of the body.ij: Ventral plates strongly * Rostral in contact with tho frontonasal in one of the specimens in the American Museum. t In the specimen figured by Schmidt the occipital is a little long-er than the interparietal and much narrower than the frontal. X 23 to 26 according to Schmidt. 1-20 Lacertidce, imbricate, the posterioi* border obtusely pointed, the largest a little broader than long, in 10 longitudinal and 29 to 33 transverse series. 6 smooth preanal plates, two larger pairs, one in front of the other, and a smaller pair on each side, or 5 plates, two in front and three behind.* Upper surface of limbs with large, rhombic, keeled scales. 12 or 13 femoral pores on each side. 28 to 30 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales forming whorls of nearly equal length, keeled and pointed behind, above and beneath, 24 in the fifth whorl behind the postanal granules. Bluish green above and lieueath (in spirit), darker on the back, or very dark olive aljove and greenish white beneath ; eight longitudinal series of small round light spots on the nape and back, with small black spots between them ; head dark olive above, with a few small black spots, bluish green on the sides, with black lines on the sutures between the labial shields ; upper surface of anterior third of tail with regular dark cross-bars. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent . ,, „ ,, fore limb . Length of head .... Width of head .... Dejith of head .... Fore limb ..... Hind limb ..... Foot Tail 1. ? , type. 2. (^ , Equateur District. This species was described from a single female specimen, pi'obably not full-grown, obtained by Dr. C. Christy at Madje, Ituri district, Belgian Congo, and preserved in the Congo Museum, Tervuereu. A second specimen, a male, from the Equateur district of the Belgian Congo, was received by the Congo Museum, and is now in the British Museum. Three further specimens, from the same locality as the type, form part of the collection of the American Museum Congo Expedition. 1. 2. 83 88 30 30 19 20 11 12 8 9 26 32 40 47 21 25 . 247 245 * Soinetimes 2 large preanal.s, one in front of the other, accordins^ to Schmidt; the difference is not sexual as in Poromera. Poromera. 121 9. POROMERA. Poromera, Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 6 (1887) ; Mociiuard, Bull. Soc. Philom. (8) ix, 1897, p. 6. Head-shields normal. Nostril pierced between the nasal, two postnasals, and the first upper labial. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar distinct. Back with large, plate- like, subimbricate scales with strong keels forming con- tinuous lines, sides with small juxtaposed scales ; ventral plates pointed, imbricate, keeled. Digits slightly com- pressed, with tubercular lamellse interiorly. Femoral pores forming a long series. Tail very long, cylindrical. West Africa. Apart from the uumerous femoral pores, this genus reproduces the characters of Tacliydromus, and has probably been evolved in the West out of Lacerta as the former has in the East ; but whereas there is every reason to believe that Tachijdromiis is directly derived from Lacerta, the direct ancestor of Poromera would probably fall under the genera Algiroides or Bedriagaia, or both, as expressed by the following diagram : E. Asia. W. Africa. Poromera. Platyplacopus. Bedriagaia. Tarhijdromus, Apeltomtus. Algiroides. Lacerta. 1. POROMERA FORDII. Tachydromusfordii, Hallow. Proc. Ac. Philad. 1857, p. 48. Poromera fordii, Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 6 (1887) ; Giinth. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) xvii, 1896, p. 264 ; Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1900, p. 449, pi. xxxi, fig. 1. Poromera haugi, Mocquard, Bull. Soc. Philom. (8) ix, 1897, p. 6. 122 Lacerfiihv. Body moderately or rather feebly depressed. Head feebly de- pressed, Ih to 1| times as long as broad, flat above, its depth ecjual to the distance ])etween the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 3} to 4 times in length to vent (3^ to 8 J times in the young) ; snout pointed, as long as or slightly longer than postocular part of head, with sharp canthus and nearly vertical loreal region. Pileus 2 to 2^ times as long as l)road. Hind limb reaching the ear or between the collar and the ear in males, the collar or a little beyond in females ; foot a little longer than head. Tail nearly 2 to 2^ times as long as head and body. Nostril between four shields ; nasals forming a rather long or very short suture behind the rostral*; upper head-shields with strong keels and short stria? ; internasal as long as broad or a little longer ; prefrontals sometimes forming a median suture, more often separated by a small azygos shield or by the frontonasal being in contact with the frontal ; frontal bi- or tricarinate, as long as or a little shorter than its distance from the end of the snout. If to 2 times as long- as l)road, of nearly equal width throughout or a little narrower liehind than in front; parietals Ij to 1^ times as long as broad, outer l)order sometimes feebly emarginate for the accommodation of the first anterior temporal ; interparietal narrow, 2 to 2^- times as long as broad (broader in the y(3ung) ; occipital small, not more than half as long as the interparietal ; 3 or 4 supraoculars, first very small and keeled if present,! second often a little longer than third, fourth broken up into 3 to 5 keeled scales ; 5 or 6 superciliaries, first long and narrow and sharply keeled, the others very narrow and separated from the supraoculars by 5 or 6 keeled scales. Rostral not entering the nostril ; two superposed postnasals ; anterior loreal as long as or shorter than second ; 4 to 6 upper labials;!: anterior to the subocular, which is not or but little narrower beneath than above ; two, rarely three, large, keeled upper temporals, first longest ; temporal scales rhombic or hexagonal, strongly keeled, larger beneath than above ; a narrow tympanic shield usually present. Parietal foramen usually absent. Pterygoid teeth absent. Four pairs of chin-shields, the two or three anterior meeting on the middle line. Anterior gular scales small and granular, generally enlarged, imbricate, pointed and keeled towards the collar, which contains 12 to 14 pointed, strongly keeled plates; 24 to 34 scales * A small azygos shield between the nasals in a male from Butanga. t Absent in a male and in a female from the Benito Eiver. + Out of 32 cases, 5 twenty-two times, 4 seven times, 6 three times. Poromera. 123 in a straight line in the middle, including the collar-plate. No gular fold. 6 or 8 longitudinal rows of large, hexagonal or rhombic dorsal plates, with very strong keels forming continuous lines ; sometimes 8 rows in front and 6 behind ; small scales may be intercalated between the dorsal plates ; upper lateral scales small, keeled, juxtaposed, lower larger, imbricate, strongly keeled, and graduating into the ventral plates, which are similar to the dorsals, but pointed or shortly mucronate, in 8 or 10 longitudinal and 22 to 27 transverse series. Males with a large preanal plate bordered by a semicircle of pointed keeled scales ; females with the preanal region covered with pointed keeled scales. Limbs with large rhombic keeled scales. 10 to 15 femoral pores on each side, usually 11 to IS, the series not extending to the distal end of the thigh. Subdigital lamellae with rounded tubercles, which may lie very prominent, 20 to 25 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales pointed and very strongly keeled, the whorls sub- equal, the fourth or fifth containing 14 scales. Dark olive above, often turning to bronze or copper-colour posteriorly ; two light dorsal streaks, bright bluish white, sometimes edged with blaclc, anteriorly, each originating from the middle of the posterior border of the parietal shield, often disappearing on the posterior part of the back ; the back between the light streaks sometimes blackish, which shade is continued as a stripe to the base of the tail : traces of a light vertebral streak sometimes present in the young ; upper lip bluish green. Tail uniform or with a dorsal series of black spots. Lower parts greenish white in front, salmon-pink behind. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. From end of snout to vent . . 64 62 58 65 47 fore limb . 26 24 24 25 18 Length of head . . . .17 17 15 16 13 Width of head . . . 10 11 10 9 8 Depth of head .... 8 85 7 8 6 Fore limb 26 26 26 26 19 Hind liml) 38 38 38 38 29 Foot 19 19 19 19 15 Tail 155 130 112 147 107 1. c?, Benito E. 2. (^ , Batanga. 3. (J,Kribi. 4. 9 , Benito R. 5. 9 • Lambarene. 124 Lacertidie, Pdfficidavs ]f Specimens E vamined. 1. 2 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. (^ Bataii^-a, Cameroon . 62 34 8 8 23 27 11-12 21 ,, ,, ,, 59 36 8 8 24 26 13 22 9 ') 61 tV2 8 8 24 31 10-11 25 (^ Kribi, ,, 58 34 8 10 22 27 13-12 23 9 ., „ 63 30 6 8 22 29 11 21 J Benito R , Spanish Guinea 64 35 6 8 23 34 13 22 >> )> 58 31 8 10 23 29 13 22 ? 65 30 8 8 24 29 12 23 ,, „ 65 32 8 8 25 26 13 22 ,, ,, 61 30 8 8 27 28 13-12 22 „ ,, 61 30 8 8 23 24 11 20 „ Lambarene, Ogowe . 47 34 8 8 24 31 14-15 24 1. From end of snout to vent (in millimetres). 2. Scales round middle of body. 3. Longitudinal series of dorsal plates, in middle of body. 4. Longi- tudinal series of ventral plates. 5. Transverse series of ventral plates. 6. Gular scales, collar included, in longitudinal median series. 7. Femoral pores (right and left if diii'ering). 8. Lamellaj under fourth toe. In addition to the above, I have examined the type specimen, a male from the Gaboon, preserved in the Museum of the Academy of Philadelphia. i?rt6(7«i. — Cameroon, Spanish Guinea, French Congo. 10. APELTONOTUS. Apeltonotus, Bouleng. Mem. As. Soc. Beng. v, 1917, p. 233. Head-shields normal. Nostril pierced between the nasal, a postnasal, and the first upper labial. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar distinct. Dorsal scales small, hexagonal, sid)imbricate, keeled; ventral plates obtusely pointed, imbricate, of median rows smooth or faintly keeled, of outer row strongly keeled. Digits compressed, with smooth scales inferiorly. Femoral pores reduced to 2 or o on each side. Tail very long, cylindrical. Loo-Choo Islands. This genus is very closely allied to Tachydroinus, to which it stands in the same relation as Bedriagaia to Poromera. Could we find a form A^ieltimotus. 125 combining' the dorsal scales of ApeJtonotus dorgalis with the other characters of TacJii/dronius aimn-ensis we w'ould have the connecting link between the latter and Lacerta vivipara. 1. APELTONOTUS DOESALIS. Tachydromus dorsalis, Stejneger, Smithson. Quarterl. (Misc. Coll. xlvii), 1904, p. 294, and Herp. Japan, p. 229, fig. (1907) ; Van Denburgh, Proc. Calif. Ac. (4) iii, 1912, p. 242. Apeltonotus dorsalis, Bouleug. t.c. p. 234. Body feebly dejiressed. Head If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length about 4 times in length to vent ; snout acutely pointed, a little longer than postocular jjart of head, with sharp canthus and vertical, slightly concave loreal region. Pileus 2J times as long as broad. Neck a little narrower than the head. Limbs slender, with very long digits ; the hind limli reaches the shoulder in males, not beyond the axil in females ; foot a little longer than the head. Tail 3 to 3i times as long as head and body. Nostril between three shields ; nasals forming a very short suture Ijehind the rostral* ; frontonasal longer than broad ; prefrontals forming an extensive suture ; frontal about 1| times as long as broad, as long as its distance from the end of the snout, narrower behind than in front; parietals about 1^ times as long as broad, outer border convex ; interparietal small, narrow, longer than the occipital ; 3 or 4 supraoculars ; if 4, the first small and granular, followed by a series of granules sepai-atiug the supraoculai's from the superciliaries, which are 5 in number. Rostral entering the nostril ; a single post- nasal ; anterior loreal much smaller than second ; 4 upper labials, rarely 5 or 3, anterior to the subocular, which is a little narrower beneath than above ; temporal scales small, strongly keeled ; an enlarged, keeled anterior upper temporal ; a short and very narrow tympanic shield. Pterygoid teeth j^ resent. 4 pairs of chin-shields, t the 3 anterior in contact in the middle ; gular scales granular anteriorly, gradually enlarged, imbricate, and keeled towards the collar, 26 to 30 in a straight median line : collar- plates large, pointed, keeled, 10 in number. * Kostral ill contact with the frontonasal in one specimen examined liy Van Denburgh . t Van Denburgli notes one specimen as having 4 shields on one side and 5 on tlie other. 126 Lacertldiv Scales strongly keeled, those ou the liack larL;er, about 5 corre- spondiuf,' to 3 ventral plates, i^radually merging- into the laterals, of which 7 or S correspond to 8 ventral plates ; 28 to 35 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 6 longitudinal series, the outer keeled, the others smooth or feebly keeled ; 24 transverse series. Preanal plate large, smooth, bordered by a semicircle of small plates, or with two small plates on each side. Scales ou upper surface of limbs large, keeled, larger than dorsals, on forearm smooth and forming transverse plates. Usually 2, rarely 3, femoral pores on each side. 29 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled, twice as large as largest dorsals, 16 in the fourth whorl. Bluish slate above, probably greenish in life ; a Ijlack line from the nostril through the eye to the centre of the ear-opening ; a pale, probably yellowish, streak below this from the nostril through the lower eyelid to the. lower border of the ear-opening ; lower parts greenish or yellowish-white. Measurements (in millimetres) : <?* ? From end of snout to vent . 64 56 ,, ,, ,, fore limb — 20 Length of head . 16 14 Width of head 9 8 Depth of head — 5-5 Foi'e lim1i . 25 23 Hind limb . 35 31 Foot — 16 Tail . 220 195 Habitat. — This species appears to be confined to Ishigaki Island, in the Southern Glroup of the Loo Choo or Eiu Kiu Archipelago. The type is pi-eserved in the U.S. National Museum. One of the co-types, received from that Institution, is now in the British Museum. n. TACHYDROMUS. Tachi/dromus,f Daud. Hist. Kept, iii, p. 251 (1802) ; Wagler, Syst. Amph. p. 157 (1830) ; Wiegm. Herp. Mex. p. 10 (1834) ; Dum. & Bibr. Erp. Gc'u. v, p. 155 (1839) ; Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 52 (1845) ; Giinth. Eept. Brit. lud. p. 69 (1864); Lataste, Ann. Mus. Genova (2) ii, * After Stejneger. t Originally misspelt Takydromus. Tachydroniu^. 127 1885, p. 125 ; Bouleiii;-. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 3 (1887), and Mem. As. Soc. Beng V, 1917, p. 207. TachysaurHs, Gray, t.c. Head- shields normal. Nostril pierced between the nasal, one or two postnasals, and the first upper labial. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar more or less distinct or absent. Back with l;u-ge plate-like subimbricate scales with strong keels forming continuous lines, sides with small juxtaposed or granular scales; ventral plates more or less imbricate, often pointed and keeled, the outer always keeled. Digits cylindrical or slightly compressed, with smooth or somewhat tubercular lamellas inferiorly. Femoral pores reduced to one* to three. Tail long o^' extremely long, cylindrical. Eastern Asia. The parietal forameu is constantly present, and jjterygoid teeth are absent or reduced to 2 to 5. Judging from the type species, T. sexUneatus, this genus seems rather widely remote fromi/«(:!er/«, but the question assumes a different aspect if we compare T. amurensis, which stands at the other end of the series, and which is most clearly related to Lacerta and especially to the Section Zootoca. The term "inguinal pores" has been universally used for the one or two pores on each side of the preanal region, as is the rule in this genus, and no exception could be taken to this terminology were it not that when more than two pores are present, the series extends on to the thigh. As the single pore is part of the series known as femoral pores in the other Lacertidse, it is moi-e logical in view of securing uniformity in terminology to discard the term " inguinal,'' and to express the state of things in Tachydronius by saying that the series of femoral pores is reduced to one to three. In several forms of Lacerta and Lafastia, when the number of femoral pores falls very low, the reduc- tion takes place from the distal end of the thigh, thus leading to the condition in Tachydromng.f It is also noteworthy that in the African analogue of Tachydromus, Poromera, the series of femoral pores, though a long one, ends at some distance from the knee-joint. * Iiifyuinal pore. t Specimens of Lacerta vivipai-a with only 5 femoral pores show this very clearly. 128 Lacerti(l-e. Synopsis of the Species. I. Head not more than 15 times as long as broad. A. 4 supraoenlars, first very small (rarely absent) ; dorsal plates in 5 to 8 longitudinal series, ventrals in 8 or 10. 1. 4 or 5 pairs of chin-shields (very rarely 3) ; ventral plates in 8 longitudinal series, feebly keeled or all except the outer smooth ; 29 to 40 plates and scales round middle of body. Dorsal plates in 7 or 8 longitudinal serie.s ; ventral plates in 22 to 28 transverse series ; 3 femoral pores on each side ; rostral in contact witli frontonasal ; tail 1| to 2^ times length of head and body T. amurensis, Peters, p. 129. Dorsal plates in 5 to 7 longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 22 to 25 transverse series ; 2 (very rareiy 3) femoral jjores on each side ; rostral nearly always in contact with fronto- nasal ; tail 2 to 3^ times length of head and body. T. tachydromoides, Schleg., j). 132. Dorsal plates in 8 longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 27 to 29 transverse series ; a single femoral j)ore on each side ; nasals in contact behind rostral . . . T. ^volter^, J. G. Fisch., p. 135. 2. 3 pairs of chin-shields (very rarely 4) ; ventral plates keeled, often strongly ; 33 to 48 plates and scales round middle of body ; tail 2 to 3-| times length of head and body. Dorsal plates in 5 to 7 (rarely 8) longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 8 longitiidinal and 24 to 30 (visually 26 to 28) transverse series ; a single femoral pore on each side. T. septentrionalis, Gthr., p. 137. Dorsal plates in 7 or 8 longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 8 or, more frequently, 10 longitudinal and 27 to 33 transverse series ; 1 or 2 femoral pores on each side . T. forviosamis, Blgr., p. 141. B. 3 supraoculars, first large and in contact with the second loreal ; dorsal plates in 4 longitudinal series, ventrals in 12. Ventral plates in 22 to 25 transverse series ; 26 to 28 jjlates and scales round middle of body ; 3 pairs of chin-shields ; 2 or 3 femoral pores on each side ; tail a little over twice length of head and body T. fc/iasiensis, Blgr., j). 144. II. Head at least nearly twice as long as broad; ventral plates strongly keeled. A. Dorsal plates in 7 to 10 longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal and 26 to 31 transverse series : a single femoral pore on each side. 37 to 45 plates and scales round middle of body ; 3 pairs of chin-shields, rarely 4; 3 or 4 supraoculars; tail 2^ to 3^ times length of head and body . . . T. smaragdinus, Blgr., p. 146. 28 to 32 i^lates and scales round middle of body ; 4 or 5 pairs of chin-shields ; 4 supraoculars ; tail 3^ to 4 times length of head and body ...... T. sauteri, Van Denb , p. 149. B. Dorsal plates in 4 or 6 longitudinal series ; ventrals in 10 or 12 ; 28 to 38 plates and scales round middle of body ; 3 supraoculars, third Tachydromus. 129 rarely in contact with frontoparietal ; 1 to 3 femoral pores on each side. Dorsal j)lates in 4 (very rarely 6) longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 21 to 28 transverse series ; 3 (rarely 4) pairs of chin-shields : collar more or less distinct ; head about twice as long as broad ; tail 3 to 5 times length of head and body. T. sexlineatus, Daud., p. 151. Dorsal plates in 6 longitudinal series ; ventral plates in 30 transverse series ; 4 pairs of chin-shields ; no trace of a collar ; head 2a times as long^as broad ; tail 2f times as long as head and body .... T, haughtonianus, Jerd., p. 155. 1. TACHYDEOMUS AMURENSIS. Tachydromus anmrensis, Peters, Sitzb. Ges. Naturf. Fr. Berl. 1881, p. 71 ; Bouleno-. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 6 (1887) ; Giiuth. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) i, 1888, p. 169; Bouleug. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) t, 1890, p. 137 ; Nikolsky, Herp. Eoss. p. 92 (1905) ; Stejneger, Herp. Japan, p. 245, fig. (1907) ; Bouleug, Mem. As. Soc. Beug. v, 1917, p. 210, pi. xlvi, fig. 1. Body feebly depressed. Head about 1^ times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner of the eye and the tympanum, its length 3| to 4 times in length to vent in males, 4^ to 4f times in females ; snout obtuse, with obtuse cauthus, as long as or slightly shorter than the postocular part of the head. Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck 'as broad as the head. Limbs short ; the hind limb reaches the elbow or the axil in males, barely the wrist in females. Foot as long as the head or slightly longer. Tail If to a little over 2 times the length of head and body. Nostril pierced between three shields. Eostral not touching the nostril, broadly in contact with the frontonasal, which is broader than long and as broad as the interuarial space ; prefrontals forming a median suture or separated by a small azygos shield* ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, IJ to \\ times as long as broad, of nearly equal width throughout, or narrower behind than in front; parietals a little longer than broad (not more than IJ), in contact with the upper postocular and with 3 or 4 temporals ; inter- parietal a little longer than broad ; occipital much shorter than the interparietal, its posterior border usually convex and projecting beyond the parietals. Four supraoculars, first very small, sometimes divided into two, or in contact with the frontal, second and third equal or second the larger, fourth small but larger than first, sometimes not * In a male from Chaborowka. 130 Lacertidie. ill contact with the frontoparietal" ; 4, rarely 3 or 5, superciliaries, first longest, all in contact with the supraoculars, or with 2 or 3 granules between them. Nasal forming a suture with the anterior loreal t above the small postnasal ; posterior loreal longer than the anterior ; 4 upper labials + anterior to the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above, sometimes very slightly. Temporal scales rather small, smooth or very feebly keeled ; tympanic shield present ; one or two enlarged upper temporals often present. Mental much bi'oader than long ; 4, rarely 5,§ pairs of chin-shields, the two or three anterior meeting in the middle ; 19 to 24 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, anterior granular and smooth, posterior enlarged, imbricate, smooth or faintly keeled and merging gradually into the collar, which is composed of 8 to 11 rounded or obtusely pointed ^jlates, the median smooth, the outer feebly keeled. No gular fold. Dorsal plates obtusely pointed or rounded behind, in 6 longitudinal series, with 1 or 2 series of smaller plates on the median line, or in 8 series in front and 6 behind ; sides with one upper and 3 or 4 lower series of keeled scales and an intermediate granular area. Ventral plates in 8 longitudinal and 22 to 28 transverse series, the outer pointed and feebly keeled, the others smooth, broader than long and shaj^ed as in Lacerta vivijmra. 30 to 40 plates and scales round the middle of the body. Preanal plate large, smooth, entire (males), or longitudinally divided or semidivided (females), bordered by one semicircle of small plates. Upper surface of limbs with rhombic keeled scales, much smaller than dorsals. 3 femoral pores on each side.|| Subdigital lamellae single or partly single and partly divided, 19 to 23 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled, pointed or shortly miicronate, in somewhat longer and shorter whorls alternately, the fourth or fifth of which contains 16 to 20 scales. The scaling of the regenerated tail similar to that of Lacerta vivipara. Brown or olive-grey above, uniform or with irregular dark brown spots, sides with a broad dark brown or lilack baud, the upper border of which may show a series of indentations ; a dark streak on the * In a female from Chaborowka. t Which is divided, into two in a male from Chaborowka. + 5 on one side in a male from Chaborowka. § 5 in a female from Chaborowka. jl A female from Chaborowka shows an ill-defined fourth i^ore on the right side. Tachydromus. 131 canthus rostralis ; usually a more or less distinct light, dark-edged streak from the lower eyelid to the shoulder, passing through the lower part of the ear-opeuing, sometimes continued as a series of spots to the base of the hind limb. Lower parts yellowish or greenish white. Measurements (in millimeti'es) : From end of snout to vent ,, „ ,, fore limb Length of head Width of head Depth of head Fore limb Hind limb Foot Tail J" , Chaborowka. 2. (J , Seoul. , Chaborowka. Particulars of Specimens Examined. 1. 2. 3. 4. 55 53 66 65 •20 19 — 21 12 12 13 14 8 8 9 9 6 6 — 7 19 19 20 20 25 27 27 27 12 1 7 14 — 14 1 / type Ka sakewicha 1. 2. 3. 4. .5. 6. 7. 8. 9. J Chahorowka, TJssiiri . 55 35 7 8 26 8 22 3 20 ?) j> ?> . 54 35 7 8 25 10 22 3 21 ? „ „ . . 65 40 8 8 28 9 24 3 32 ,, ,, ,, . 65 33 7 8 27 9 19 3 22 (5 Seoul, Corea , 53 35 7 8 24 10 21 3 23 9 Corea 50 30 8 8 22 10 22 3 19 1. Length from snout to vent (in millimetres). 2. Scales and plates round middle of body. 3. Longitudinal series of dorsal plates and scales. 4. Longi- tudinal series of ventral plates. 5. Transverse series of ventral plates. 6. Plates in collar. 7. Gular scales in a straight median line. S. Femoral pores on each side. 9. Lamellar scales under fourth toe. Same explanation for the following tables. In addition to the above, I have examined the type, a female from Kasakewicha, on the Amoor, preserved in the Berlin Museum. Habitat. — South-Easteru Siberia, Manchuria, Corea. T. amurensis is the most iacerfn-like species of the genus, and its agreement in many respects with L. vivipara is the more noteworthy for the fact that the latter is the only species of Lacerta which extends eastwards to the Pacific Ocean.* The agreement is not only in the shape of the head, body and limbs, and the comparatively short tail, * The easternmost specimens of that species show, on an average, a lower number of femoral pores (5 to 11) than the western. 132 Lacertidn'. but also iu the shape aud arraugemeut of the head-shields, especially those surrouiidiug the nostril, aud the occasioual separation of the fourth supraocular from the frontoparietal,* and of the ventral shields. As the scaling of the l>ack and the coloration may well be derived from the condition in L. viinpara, I have little doubt that the genus Tachy- clromns is to be regarded as directly descended from an oriental species of Lacerta connected with L. vivipara. ■2. TACHYDEOMUS TACHYDROMOIDES. Lacerta tachydromoides, Schleg. Faun. Japon., Eept. p. 101, pi. i, figs. 5-7 (1838). Tachydronms ja2}onicns,D\im. & Bihr. ^vY>. G6n. \, p. 161 (1839); Giinth. Eept. Brit. Ind. p. 69 (1864) ; Hilgend. Sitzb. Cles. Nat. Fr. Berl. 1880, p. 112. Tacliysaurusjaponicus, Gray, Cat. Liz. ]). 52 (1845). Tachydromus tachydromoides, part.,. Bouleug. Cat: Liz. iii, p. 5 (1887)." Tachydromus tacliydromoides, Giinth. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) i, 1888, p. 169 ; Stejneger, Herp. Japan, p. 247, fig. (1907) ; Bouleng. Mem. As. Soc. Beng. v, 1917, p. 212. Tachydromus hoJ^'ti, Bouleug. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1894, p. 733, pi. xlix, fig. 1. Body feebly depressed. Head U to If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner of the eye and the tympanum, its length 3| to 4 times in length to vent iu males, 4 to 4^ times iu females ; snout pointed, with strong cauthus and nearly vertical loreal region, as long as the postocular part of the head. Pileus li to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head. The hind limb reaches the axil, the shoulder, or the collar in males, the wrist, the elbow, or the axil in females; foot 1 to li times as long as the head. Tail 2 to 3i times the length of head and 1)ody (If times in the very young) . Nostril pierced between three shields. Eostral not entering the nostril, nearly always in contact with the froutouasal,t usually broadly ; frontonasal as long as broad or slightly broader, as broad as the internarial space or a little broader ; prefrontals forming a median * A character which has become fi.xed in T. sexlineatus, at the other end of the series. t Two exceptions, male from Koshikn and female from Kciyosun, in -ivliich the nasals meet behind the rostral. TacJnjdromus. 133 suture* ; froutal as long as its distance from the eud of the suout, H to 2 times as long as broad, usually narrower liehind than in front ; parietals as long as broad or a little longer than broad (uj) to 1^); interparietal 1^ to 2 times as long as broad ; occipital small, much shorter than the interparietal, often separated from it by the parietals meeting in the middle, sometimes reduced to a granule. Four supra- oculars, first very small, rarely in contact with the frontal,t second and third equal or second the larger, fourth small but larger than the first ; 4, rarely 5, superciliaries, first or first and second longest ; a complete or, more often, incomplete series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, exceptionally reduced to 2 or 3 granules. Nasal forming a suture with the anterior loreal, above the small postnasal^ ; anterior loreal shorter than the second ; 4 upper labials, rarely 3,§ anterior to the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above. Temporal scales small, more or less distinctly keeled ; two or three enlarged upper temporals, the first not in contact with the fourth supraocular; tympanic shield present. Mental broader than long; 4 pairs of chin-shields, || the two or three anterior meeting in the middle ; 18 to 25 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, anterior granular, smooth, posterior enlarged, imbricate, pointed, smooth or more frequently feebly keeled and merging gradually into the collar, which is composed of 9 to 12 pointed, smooth or keeled plates. No gular fold. Dorsal plates obtusely pointed or rounded behind, in 4 or 6 longi- tudinal series, with 1 or 2 series of smaller plates on the median line, making 5 to 7 series altogether ; sides with one upper and 3 to 6 lower series of keeled scales and an intermediate granular area. Ventral plates in 8 longitudinal and 22 to 25 transverse series, the outer pointed and keeled, the others also pointed or rounded or truncate behind, smooth or feebly keeled. 29 to 35 plates and scales round the middle of the body. Preanal plate large, smooth, very rarely longitudinally divided,^ bordered )iy one semicircle of small plates. LFpper surface of limbs with rhombic keeled scales, much smaller * Sometimes a small azygos shield sei^arates them, accovdiug to Stejneger. t Absent on one side in a female in the Lataste Collection. J The postnasal is absent and the first loreal transversely divided into two in a female from Japan (Hilgendorf). § 3 on both sides in a female from Tsu Shima, on one side in a female from Takanori. II One exception with 3 and one with 5 out of 60 sijecimens examined by Stejneger. 3 chin-shields on one side and -4 on the other in the type of T. holsti. ^ Female from Nagasaki. 1:U Lacertid;e. than dorsals. 2, very rarely 3, femoral pores on each side. Sub- digital lamellse mostly divided, 20 to 26 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled and shortly mucronate, in somewhat longer and shorter whorls alternately, the fourth or fifth of which contains 14 to 20 scales. Brown or olive above, sometimes greenish on the anterior part of the back, uniform or with small irregularly scattered blackish spots ; sometimes a light dorsolateral streak, starting from the superciliary edge ; usually a dark brown or blackish lateral band* from behind the eye, sometimes with a few light spots, the upper edge often crenulated ; a dark streak on the canthus rostralis ; a more or less distinct light or white, often black-edged streak from the lower eyelid to the shoulder, thi'ough the lower part of the ear-opening, sometimes continued as a streak or series of spots to the base of the hind limb. Lower jiarts white, throat and breast sometimes greenish. Tail pale brown or reddish, with a dark lateral streak. Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent ,, ,, ,, fore limb . Length of head Width of head .... Depth of head .... Fore liml) .... Hind limb .... Foot .... Tail ... . . L (j", Nagasaki. 2. rj" , Kochi Keu. 3. J, Japan. 4. $ , Myianoshita. 1. 2, 3. 4. 62 57 62 59 22 21 22 21 lb 14 14 13 9 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 23 20 20 19 33 32 28 28 17 17 15 15 .80 160 150 150 ParticvJars of Specimens Examined. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. C. 7. 8. 9. 9 Kiusiu (type) 59 32 6 8 24 10 20 2 25 ($ Nagasaki .... 62 35 6 8 22 11 25 2 25 9 \, . . . . 50 33 6 8 24 10 24 2 26 (^ Takamori .... 46 34 5 8 22 10 20 2 20 9 ,. .... 41 33 6 8 25 9 20 2 23 S Moji .... 50 32 6 8 24 12 23 2 24 9 Onsen Mt. (type of T.hohti) 47 32 6 8 23 10 19 2 22 * This band is totally absent in the types (female and young) of T. Jiolsti, as well as in a female from Natfasaki. TacIiydrouiiiK. 135 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1 . 8. 9. (^ Tsu Shima . . 60 34 6 8 24 11 24 2 23 »> ,, 53 34 6 8 23 10 22 2 23 9 44 29 6 8 26 9 20 2 22 J Kochi Ken . . 67 29 5 8 22 11 21 2 23 „ . 62 35 6 8 23 11 24 3 26 2 Tokyo . . 54 32 6 8 26 11 23 2 23 „" . . 48 30 6 8 24 11 18 2 20 (^ Hakoue L. . . 67 34 6 8 24 10 19 2 24 9 Myiauoshita . 69 33 6 8 24 10 18 2 22 „ Koyosuu . 64 32 6 8 25 9 25 2 24 ^ Japau . . 64 35 7 8 22 9 24 2 24 9 „ . . . 62 33 7 8 25 11 23 2 24 „ „ . . 44 33 6 8 23 9 21 2 23 Habitat. — Japan, from Yezo to Kiusiu aud Tsu Shima. This species is very closely allied to the preceding', differing in the more pointed snout with stronger canthus, 6 to 7 longitudinal series of dorsal plates instead of 7 or 8, and nearly constantly 2 femoral pores instead of 3. 3. TACHYDEOMUS WOLTEEI. Tachydromns ivoHeri, J. G. Fischer, Jahrb. Hamb. Wiss. Anst. ii, 1885, p". 82 ; Giiuth. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) i, 1888, p. 169 ; Stejneger, Herp. Japau. p. 247 (1907) ; Boiileng. Mem. As. Soc. Beng. v, 1917, p. 214, pi. xlvi, fig. 3. Tachydromtis tachydroinoides, i:)art.,liou.leng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 5 (1887). Body feebly depressed. Head 14 to If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner of the eye and the tympanum, its length 4 times in length to vent; snout pointed, with strong canthus and nearly vertical loreal region, as long as the postocular part of the head. Pileus If to 2 times as long as broad. Neck as broad as the head, or a little narrower. The hind limb reaches the elbow ; foot as loug as the head or slightly longer. Nostril pierced between three shields. Rostral riot entering the nostril ; nasals forming a very short suture behind the rostral ; fronto- nasal broader than long, as broad as the internarial space ; a small shield between the prefrontals often present* ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, 1} to If times as long as broad, of nearly equal width throughout ; parietals 1 }j times as long as broad ; * Specimens from Seoul and Kiu Kianfj. ] ].i Lacertiihr. interparietals I3- to 2 times as long as broad; occipital small, much shorter than the interparietal. Four supraoculars, first very small, second and third equal, fourth small but larger than first, and rarelv in contact with the frontoparietal* ; 4 or 5 superciliaries, first largest, separated from the superciliaries by a complete series of granules. Nasal forming a suture with the anterior loreal, above the small postnasal ; anterior loreal shorter than second ; 8 to 5 upper labialst anterior to the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above. Temporal scales small, keeled ; three enlarged upper temporals ; tympanic shield present. Mental Iwoader than long ; 4 pairs of chin-shields, the three anterior meeting in the middle ; 24 to 26 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, anterior granular, smooth, posterior enlarged, imbricate, pointed and keeled, merging gradually into the collar, which is composed of 10 to 12 j^ointed, more or less distinctly keeled plates. No gular fold. Dorsal plates rounded behind, in 8 longitudinal series (or 9 in front), those of the two median series smaller ; sides with a more or less dis- tinct upper and 3 or 4 lower series of keeled scales and an intermediate granular area. Ventral plates in 8 longitudinal and 27 to 29 transverse series, the outer pointed and keeled, the others rounded or truncate behind and smooth. 36 to 38 plates and scales round the middle of the body. Preanal plate large, smooth, bordered liy one semicircle of small plates. Upper surface of limlis with rhomliic keeled scales, much smaller than dorsals. A single femoral pore on each side. Sul)digital lamellae mostly divided, 19 to 22 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled and shortly mucronate, ec]ual or in somewhat longer and shorter whorls alternately, the fourth or fifth of which contains 18 or 20 scales. Olive above, with a more or less distinct light dorsolateral streak and a dark olive lateral band ; a white, black-edged lateral streak from the loreal region through the lower part of the ear-opening to the base of the hind limb; a dark streak along each side of the tail. Lower parts yellowish or greenish white. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. 2. 3. From end of snout to vent . . .45 45 46 fore limb . . 16 17 16 * On one side in the specimen from Kin Kiang. t 4- on one side and 5 on the other in the type, 3 on one side and 4 on the other in the specimen from Kiu Kiang. Tachijdrotun!'. 137 LeiiLith of head 1. 2. . 11 11 3. 11 Width of head . . 6-5 7 7 Depth of head . h 6 6 Fore limb . 15 16 17 Hind limb 20 20 23 Foot 11 11 12 1. (J, type, Chemulpo. 2. J, Seoul. 3. s, Kiu Kiaus ->• 5" Particulan of Specimens E. a mined. 1. 2. :?. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Chemulpo (type) . 45 36 8 8 27 10 26 1 19 Seoul . .' . . . 45 36 8 8 29 10 24 1 20 Kiu Kiauo- . . 46 38 8 8 29 12 24 1 22 A fourth specimen, without locality, but probably from N. China, has been referred to T. wolteri by Griinther, but it differs in having 3 chin-shields on one side and 4 on the other, and the ventral shields all strongly keeled. The tail is 2i times as long as head and body. Green above, with the light lateral streak as in T. wolteri. S N. China r . . . . 44 34 8 8 27 9 25 1 21 Habitat. — Corea and China (Kiu Kiang). Closely allied to T. tachydromoides. Differs in having 8 longitudinal series of dorsal plates, 27 to 29 transverse series of ventral plates (instead of 22 to 24 in males), and a single femoral pore. 4. TACHYDKOMUS SEPTENTRIONALIS. Tachydromiis septentrionalis, G-iiuth. Kept. Brit. lud. p. 70, pi. viii, fig. E.* (1864), and Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) i, 1888, p. 166; Boettg. Ber. Senck. Ges. 1894, pp. 139 & 145; Bouleng. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1899, p. 161, fig.; Werner, Abh. Bayer. Ak. 2, xxii, 1903, p. 354; Van Denburgh, Proc. Calif. Ac. (4) iii, 1912, p. 242 ; Bouleng. Mem. As. Beng. v, 1917, p. 216. Tachydromus tachydromoides, part., Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 5 (1887). Tal-ydromns septentrioncdis, part., Stejneger, Herp. Japan, p. 232 (1907). * The male type specimen figured is represented with an intact tail, which is not the case, as may be seen from Giinther's description. The tail has been restored by the artist. Such restorations were often resorted to in those days and have given rise to confusion, as in the case of Chitra indica in the same work. 138 Lacerfidn'. Body not or Init slightly depressed. Head feebly convex or even quite flat above, 1^ to If times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 3| to 4i- times in length to vent in males, 4 to 4J- times in females ; snout pointed, with strong canthus and nearly vertical loreal region, as long as the postocular part of the head. Pileus 2 to 2^- times as long as broad. Neck narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the wrist, the elbow, or the axil in females, the axil or the shoulder in males ; foot 1 to Ij times as long- as head. Tail 2^ to 3|^ times as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between three (rarely four) shields. Eostral not entering the nostril, often narrowly in contact with the frontonasal,* which is as long as broad or slightly broader, as broad as or a little broader than iuternarial space ; prefrontals forming a median suture ; frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout or a little shorter, 1| to If times as long as liroad, usually narrower behind than in front; parietals 1^ to 1^ times as long as broad; interparietal 1^- to 2 times as long as broad ; occipital small, much shorter than the interparietal, rarely nearly as large, often sepai'ated from it by one or two small shields or by the parietals meeting in the middle. Four supraoculars, first very small, rarely broken up into 2 or 3 granules, or in contact with the frontal,t or absent,:|: second and third equal or second the longer, fourth small but larger than the first and rarely broken up into 2 or 3 ; 4 or 5 superciliaries, first or first and second longest and usually in contact with the supraoculars ; a series of granules, rarely complete, between the supraoculai's and the superciliaries. Nasal forming a suture with the anterior loreal above the postnasal,§ often forming a very short suture with its fellow behind the rostral ; anterior loreal shorter than second, sometimes divided into two || and forming a triangle with the postnasal T[ ; usually 4 upper labials, sometimes 3 t)r 5,** anterior to the subocular, which * In 15 specimens out of 39 examined by me; in 8 specimens out of 12 examined by Van Denbui-gh. t In a male from Kiu Kianfj. J In a female from Kiu Kiang and in a young from Da-zeh Valley, Chi Kiang. § Unless its posterior part- be severed to form a second postnasal, as in a female from Kiu Kiang-. II In 4 specimens from Kiu Kiang, in one from Da-zeh Valley, Chi Kiang, and in one from Kuatun. ^ As in L. agilis. — In a male from Kiu Kiang the postnasal forms a suture with the second loreal, below the anterior. ** 3 on both sides in a female from Kiu Kiang, on one side in a female from To ch iidrom vs. 1 39 is usually narrower beneath than above. Temporal scales small, more or less distinctly keeled; 1, 2 or 3 enlarij^ed upper temporals, the tirst not in contact with the fourth supraocular ; tympanic shield present, narrow and elongate. Mental broader than long; 3 pairs of chin-shields,* the first or first and second meeting in the middle ; 20 to 30 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, anterior granular and smooth, posterior enlarged, imbricate, pointed and keeled, and merging gradually into the collar, which is composed of 8 to 12 pointed, keeled jjlates. No gular fold. Dorsal plates obtusely pointed or rounded liehind, in 4 longitudinal series, with 1 or 2 series of smaller plates on the median line, and rarely t with an additional series of small plates between the two outer series, 5 to 8 altogether in the middle of the body ; often 6, 7 or 8 in front and 4 or 5 behind ; 2 to 4 series of keeled scales uear the ventral plates, sejmrated from the dorsals by a granular area. Ventral jilates in 8 longitudinal and 24 to 30 (usually 26 to 28) transverse series, obtusely pointed, more or less strongly keeled, and shortly mucronate. 34 to 48 plates and scales round the middle of the body (usually 35 to 40). Preanal plate moderately large or rather small, smooth, rarely feebly bicarinate or longitudinally bisected, + often not Jiroader than long, with smaller, usually keeled plates in front and on the sides. Upper surface of limbs with rhombic keeled scales and granules. A single femoral pore on each side. Subdigital lamellae partly single and partly divided, mostly divided, 23 to 29 under the fourth toe. Caudal scales strongly keeled and shortly mucronate, the keels forming four very strong ridges on the upper surface of the basal part; the whorls nearly equal in length, the fourth or tifth containing 14 to 18 scales. Olive, brown, or coppery red on the l)ack, olive, green, or blue on the sides, usually with a light greenish, often black-edged dorsolateral streak, starting from the superciliary edge ; a more or less distinct dark canthal streak and a dark band on the temple and side of neck, Chusan, and in a young- from Chi Kiang opposite Chiisan ; 5 on both sides in a male from Kiiatun and in a female from Ningpo ; on one side in two males from Kill Kiang and in a female from Shanghai. * 3 on one side and 4 on the other in two specimens from Kill Kiang and in another from Kuatiin. A similar e.xample of asymmetry has been observed by Werner. t Male and female from Kiiatun, female from Shanghai. X Female from Kiu Kiang. Uo Lacertiihe, or continued alon^' the body, sometimes with l)lue spots, edged below, but no farther than the shoulder, by a light streak starting from the lower eyelid. Lower parts yellow, often greenish on the sides. Measurements (in millimetres) : 1. i. 3. 4. From end of snout to vent 75 69 67 65 ,, „ ,, fore liml 26 27 24 25 Length of head 18 17 16 16 Width of head . 11 11 10 10 Dej^th of head . 10 10 8 8 Fore limb .... 27 27 23 24 Hind limb 37 36 32 32 Foot 19 19 17 17 Tail . ■ . — ': 45 205 155 1. J" , Ningpo, type. 2. ^.Kuatui 1. 3. 5 ) ^ [Vuat un. 4. 9 , Kiu Kiang. ParticidarH <>/ Specimens Ex xm'uied. 1. 2. s. ■i. 5. 6. 7. S . 9. ^ Ningpo (type) . . . 75 36 6 8 28 10 25 ] L 25 ? 47 38 6 8 28 12 25 ] L 25 s „ . . 60 38 7 8 27 10 29 ] L 27 ? „ . . 72 36 <! 8 30 11 25 ] L 27 J' Snowy Valley, Nil igpo 71 35 7 8 27 11 24 ] L 27 9 Shanghai 65 40 7 8 26 10 23 L 24 ,, ,, 56 48 8 8 28 11 28 ] L 26 ,, Chusan 68 36 6 8 27 10 23 ■ I 26 „ Kiu Kiang . 65 37 5 8 29 11 22 [ 26 (^ Kiu Kiang Mts. 66 35 5 8 27 10 25 ] L 24 J, ,, 65 37 6 8 27 9 20 I 25 ,, ,, 65 40 (i 8 26 11 25 ] L 25 ,, ,, 65 35 5 8 27 12 28 ] I 25 ,, ,, 62 38 5 8 26 11 27 ] L 25 ,, ,, 60 39 5 8 24 10 22 L 24 M „ 56 39 6 8 26 11 28 ] L 26 " " 51 40 6 8 26 10 25 ] 26 + J> 70 37 6 8 29 10 30 ] L 26 „ „ 70 36 5 8 28 11 24 ] [ 24 „ ,, 69 34 6 8 28 9 23 ] L 23 „ ,, 65 34 6 8 28 8 22 27 ,, ,, 65 41 6 8 28 12 26 ] I 25 »> !? 58 35 5 8 27 11 2U ] L 23 Tachydroviiis. 141 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 0. 7. 8. 9. S Kiu Kiaiig Mts. . . . 57 ::i8 5 8 27 11 26 1 23 „ Kuatun . . . . 69 35 5 8 26 11 22 1 26 . 69 38 6 8 28 12 24 1 25 . 68 39 6 8 27 10 25 1 29 9 „ . . . . 70 38 6 8 28 11 26 1 28 „ ., .... 67 38 8 8 28 11 23 1 25 . 67 44 8 8 28 10 25 1 26 Habitat. — China along the Yaugtse Kiaug, north-west to the Province of Kausu, south-east to Fokien. With an insufficient material before nie, in 1887, I unfortunately united this species with the Japanese T. tachydromoides, from which it is perfectly distinct, differing chiefly in the number of chin-shields and of femoral pores, and in the constantly keeled ventral shields. These characters are not known to suffer any exceptions in the two species here compared, although larger series have been examined by me and others ; and this is remarkable considering that the number of chin-shields certainly varies between 3 and 4 pairs in T. smarag- dinus and T. sexUneatus, as observed by Van Denburgh, by Stoliczka, and by Anuandale, whilst specimens with one or with two femoral pores occur in T.formosanus and T. sexlineatiig. 5. TACHYDEOMUS FOKMOSANUS. Tachydromus formosanus, Bouleug. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (6) xiv, 1894, p. 462 ; Stejneger, Herp. Japan, p. 235 (1907) ; Van Denburgh, Proc. Calif. Ac. (4) iii, 1912, p. 245 ; Bouleng. Mem. As. Soc. Beng. V, 1917, p. 219, pi. xlvi, fig. 4. Talcydromus septentrionalis, part., Stejneger, op. cit. p. 232. Tal-ydronius stejneger i. Van Denliurgh, t.c. p. 243. Body not or but slightly depressed. Head feebly convex, If to \i times as long as broad, its depth equal to the distance between the anterior corner or the centre of the eye and the tympanum, its length 3f to 4 times in length to vent in males, 4 to 4J times in females ; snout pointed, with strong canthus and nearly vertical loreal region, as long as the postocular part of the head. Pileus 2 to 24^ times as long as broad. Neck narrower than the head. The hind limb reaches the elbow in females, the axil or the shoulder in males ; foot 1 to li times as long as head. Tail 2 to 34 times as long as head and body. Nostril pierced between three shields. Rostral not entering the 142 Lacert'uhe. nostril, rarely iu contact with the frontonasal,* which is as long as broad or a little broader, or longer than broad and in contact with the frontal ;t prefrontals usually forming a median suture, or separated by an azygos shield ; | frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, H to If times as long as broad, a little narrower behind than in front; parietals 1^ to li times as long as broad; interparietal li to 2 times as long as broad ; occipital small, much shorter than the interparietal, often separated from it by the parietals meeting in the middle. Four supraoculai's, first very small, rarely absent, § second and third equal or second the longer, fourth small but larger than first ; 4 or 5 superciliaries, first or first and second longest, first in contact with the supraoculars, || followed by a series of granules, or series of granules complete. Nasal forming a suture with the anterior loreal above the postnasal, usually forming a short suture with its fellow behind the rostral ; anterior loreal shorter than second ; usually 4 upper labials, rarely 3,T[ anterior to the subocular, which is narrower beneath than above. Temporal scales small, obtusely keeled ; a large anterior upper temporal, not in contact with the fourth supraocular, usually followed by one or two smaller shields ; tympanic shield present, narrow and elongate. 3 pairs of chin-shields,** the first or first and second meeting in the middle ; 20 to 29 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, anterior granular and smooth, posterior enlarged, imbricate, pointed and keeled, and merging gradually into the collar, which is composed of 10 to 12 pointed, keeled plates. No gular fold. Dorsal plates obtusely pointed or rounded Ijehiud, iu 6 longitudinal series, usually with 1 or 2 series of smaller plates on the median line, 6 to 8 altogether in the middle of the l>ody ; usually 8 or 10 in front and 6 or 7 behind ; 2 or o series of keeled scales near the ventral plates, separated from the dorsals by a granular area. Ventral plates in 8 or, more frequently, in 10 longitudinaltt and 27 to 33 transverse * In 27 specimens out of 283 examined by Van Denburgh (about 10 p. c). t In a male from Taipeh and in another from Punkiho. t In a female from Punkiho. § 4 specimens present this exception, accordino- to Van Denburgh. j] The rule in T. stejnegeri of Van Denbvirgh ; in 9 specimens examined by him the series of granules between the supraoculars and the superciliaries is complete, as is the rule in the typical T. formosanus. ^ 3 on each side in a male from Punkiho and in a female fro]n Kanshirei. ** 4 shields on each side in two specimens examined by Van Denburgh. ft Van Denburgh says the ventrals are in 8 rows, not reckoning as such the adjacent plates, which are often quite as long and must be regarded as ventrals. Tacliijdromns. -,.._. tipper surface of limbs with i-honibi,- keeled scales a„,l 0..e or two fe,„o,.al pores on each side.t 24,0 *„:,%?","■ under the fourth toe " ianiellar scales nt I's'ser ' "'"■■'•" -- ■■" ■'-*• ''-".'-." x-h'cr.':-::! Brownish olive above, sometimp« -n-ifV, rio,i .i..es alo„g the keels of iheC^.^s • tt la^': W l'" '"" '"" white dorsolateral streak, slartiu/fr„,„ ihe n !, ^ ^^ " "'""'"'^ streak fro„, the nostril to the ev^aad a dtl T ^ **' " ''='* .Kle of neck, often continued ^ I bod wh " .7 T^'^ '"' w,th greenish w-hite . a light streak f:!''*!'!, ;iid'%r„':h thigh, wer pa:ts'::fii,it '^:^z^ '^•^'^ ^'^« - *« Measurements (in millimetres) : From end of snout to vent " " ,, fore limb Length of head . Width of head . . [ Dei>th. of head . Fore limb . Hind limb Foot ... Tail . 1. 41 16 lU 6 5 14 2(3 11 87 45 17 12 7 6 15 22 12 44 J7 10 6 5 15 21 10 4. 50 21 13 8 6 18 26 15 45 18 11 7 6 16 23 13 e. 52 19 12 7 6 16 23 13 122 165 138 140 1- 9, type, Taiwanfoo. 2. <? , type, C. Formosa 3 o , n Formosa. 4. J, Taipeh, co-tvpe of T . . "''^'^- Z^- ?' ^JPe, C. 6. 2,Kan.shirel ' ^° ^>P« of ^^ *^^^J««/m. 5. ^, Pu„kJho. * In one of the types from C. Formosa.-Two keeJed ry^.f.. ■ . and two smooth islates in 1 of T .t ■ 1 ^ *^® '" ^ siiecimens and two smooth plates in . of /■.:""'"■" "° ^'"''^ ^^^^^ '^ ^ ^P-i-ens </