p b. f 
dine p 
Mr. BELL on a new Species of Agama. 107 
lour in all seasons appears to be the same both in male and 
female. Like the species of the genus Coluber, this lizard is 
never seen more than a mile or a mile and half from the water ; 
but, on the contrary, is invariably found in the greatest numbers 
in its immediate vicinity." 
The existence of femoral pores in this species is particularly 
important, as it totally invalidates the generic character of 
Agama as hitherto given by authors, who have considered the 
absence of these organs as essentially distinguishing the genus. 
Whether the presence or the absence of femoral pores is to be 
considered as a character of sufficient importance, standing 
alone, to separate species otherwise perfectly similar in every 
circumstance both of form and structure, can hardly be deter- 
mined until the use of these singular bodies is ascertained: but 
in our present state of ignorance on this. point, it is hardly safe 
perhaps to view it in so important a light ; and as in every other 
respect this may be considered as even a typical representative 
of the genus, I should propose rather to alter the generic cha- 
racter for its reception, to the formation of a new genus by 
which it would be separated from its immediate congeners. 
P2 | z VIII. De- 
