136 







. 



Fig. 42. Calotes versicolor. 



scales smooth or feebly keeled, as large as the ventrals 

 or larger, largest and mucronate in the adult male. No 

 oblique fold in front of the shoulder. Dorso-nuchal 

 crest well developed in the male, composed of lanceolate 

 spines gradually decreasing in size towards the pos- 

 terior part of the back. 35 to 47 scales round the 

 middle of the body; dorsal scales more or less distinctly 

 keeled, larger than ventrals, all directed upwards and 

 backwards ; ventral scales strongly keeled. The ad- 

 pressed hind limb reaches the temple or the eye ; fourth 

 finger a little longer than third. Tail round. Light 

 brownish or yellowish (in spirit), uniform or with dark 

 transverse bands or spots, or dark olive-brown with 

 light spots or longitudinal lines ; belly sometimes with 

 dark longitudinal lines. The male assumes brilliant 

 colours (red, yellow, and black) in the breeding- season. 



Prom snout to vent 4g inches ; tail 11. 

 Hcib. Ceylon, India, eastwards to Tenasserim, Cochin China, and 



Southern China, westwards to Afghanistan and Baluchistan. Very 



common throughout India. 



146. Calotes maria. 



Calotes maria, part., Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 243 ; Giinth. Kept. B. Lip. 144. 

 Calotes platyceps, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxi, 1852, p. 354 ; id. Kelaart, 



Prodr., App. p. 46. 

 Calotes maria, Gunth. P. Z. S. 1870, p. 778, pi. xlv, fig. B ; Theob. 



Cat. p. 108 ; Boukng. Cat. Liz. i, p. 322. 



Upper head-scales rather large, smooth or feebly keeled, imbricate, 

 very slightly enlarged on supraorbital region ; two parallel longitu- 

 dinal series of enlarged erect scales, terminating in long spines, 



