170 LACEBTIDJE. 



between the supraoculars and the supraciliaries ; a small shield sepa- 

 rates the large anterior supraocular from the loreal ; temporal scales 

 obtusely keeled. Dorsal shields very variable in number and in 

 size, very strongly keeled ; they usually form 6 to 8 series, of which 

 the median are as a rule the smallest ; sometimes only five series 

 on the posterior half of the body ; 8 or 10 series of large ventrals, 

 which are either all strongly keeled or only the outer rows ; 2 to 

 4 longitudinal rows of smaller keeled shields on each side of the 

 ventrals. One or two inguinal pores on each side. Greenish or 

 brownish above, with or without a light black-edged dorso-lateral 

 band as in T. se.rlineatus ; a more or less distinct light streak from 

 below the eye to the shoulder, sometimes extending aloug the side 

 of the body; lower surfaces yellowish or greenish. 



From snout to vent 2-5 inches ; tail 8. 



Hob. Japan, China, Assam. 



Genus ACANTHODACTYLUS, 

 Wiegmann, Herp. Mex. p. 10, 1834. 



Head-shields normal, occipital absent. Nostril pierced between 

 two nasals and the first labial. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar more 

 or less distinct. Dorsal scales juxtaposed or imbricate ; ventrals 

 smooth, slightly imbricate. Digits keeled beneath and more or 

 less strongly fringed laterally. Femoral pores. Tail subcylindrical. 



Distribution. South of Spain and Portugal ; Africa north of the 

 equator ; South-western Asia eastwards to the Punjab. 10 species 

 are known. 



These are true Sand-Lizards. Their movements are very quick. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Not more than 16 longitudinal rows of keeled 



scales between the hind limbs A, cantoris, p. 170. 



Posterior dorsal scales much smaller than the 



caudals A. micropholis, p. 171. 



190. Acanthodactylus cantoris. 



Acanthodactylus cantoris, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 73 ; Theob. Cat. 



p. 42 ; Blanf. E. Persia, Zool. p. 381, pi. xxvi, fig. 3 ; Murray, 



Zool. Sind, p. 348 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 60. 

 ? Acanthodactylus micvopholis (non Blanf.}, Murray, I. c. 



Snout acutely pointed. Four supraoculars ; subocular not 

 reaching the lip ; temporal scales keeled ; front edge of the ear 

 usually rather feebly, but distinctly, denticulated. Dorsal scales 

 strongly keeled, very much larger on the hinder part of the back 

 than between the shoulders and on the flanks, rhomboidal, strongly 

 imbricate ; 10 to 16 large keeled scales on a transverse line between 

 the hind limbs. Ventral plates usually broader than long, in straight 

 longitudinal and slightly angular transverse series ; 12 or 14 plates 



