218 SCINCIDJE. 



Differs from the preceding in having, when adult, all the scales 

 perfectly smooth and in 32 to 34 longitudinal rows. Dorsal scales 

 hi- or tricarinate in the young. 



Hob. Hotha valley, Yunnan : Kakhyen hills. 



Genus EUMECES, 

 Wiegmann, Herp. Mex. p. 36, 1834. 



Palatine bones not meeting on the median line of the palate ; 

 pterygoids toothed. Lateral teeth conical or with spheroidal crowns. 

 Eyelids well developed, scaly. Tympanum distinct, deeply sunk. 

 Nostril pierced in the nasal ; supranasals present ; prsefrontals, 

 frontoparietals, and interparietal distinct. Limbs well developed, 

 pentadactyle ; digits subcylindrical or compressed, with transverse 

 lamellae beneath, not serrated laterally. 



Fig. 58. Upper and side views of head of Eumeces scutatus. 



Distribution. North and Central America ; Eastern and South- 

 western Asia ; North Africa. 



31 species are known, mostly American. Three occur in North- 

 western India, and one in Baluchistan. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. A median series of transversely enlarged dorsal 



scales. 



a. 21 or 23 scales round body ; two azygos 



postmentals , , E. scutatus, p. 218. 



b. 17 or 19 scales round body ; a single post- 



mental E. tcem'olatns, p. 210. 



B. Longitudinal series of dorsal scales in even 



number. 



c. 24 to 28 scales round body ; two azygos 



postmentals E. schneideri, p. 219. 



d. 30 scales round body ; a single postmental. . E. blythianus, p. 220. 



254. Eumeces scutatus. 



Plestiodon scutatus, Theob. Cat. Kept. As. Soc. Mm. 1808, p. 25. 

 Mabouia taeniolata (non Blyth), Anders. P. A. S. B. 1871, p. 184. 



