198 Annals of the South African Museum. 



those who might feel inclined to pursue further the investigation of 

 this difficult group of lizards. 



NUCRAS. 



Nucras, Gray, Ann. N. H., i, 1838, p. 280 ; Lataste, Ann. Mus. 

 Genova (2), ii, 1885, p. 124; Bouleng., Cat. Liz., iii, p. 52 (1887). 



Lacerta, part., Dum. & Bibr., Erp. Gen., v,p. 174 (1839) ; Bedriaga, 

 Abh. Senck. Ges., xiv, 1886, p. 24. 



Nucras, part., Gray, Cat. Liz., p. 33 (1845). 



Zootoca, part., Gray, op. cit. p. 27. 



Bettaia, Bedriaga, t.c., p. 435. 



Head-shields normal. Nostril well separated from the labials, 

 pierced between two or three nasals. Lower eyelid scaly. Collar 

 well marked. Dorsal scales small ; ventral shields feebly imbricate, 

 smooth. Digits cylindrical or very feebly compressed, with smooth 

 lamellae interiorly. Femoral pores. Tail long, cylindrical. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



I. No small scales between the supraoculars and the superciliaries, or one or 



two exceptionally present ; head not or but little broader than deep ; 16 



to 20 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. 



Head 4 to 4 times in length to vent* ; foot as 

 long as or a little longer than head; parietal 

 foramen present ; 40 to 51 scales across middle of 

 body ; ventrals in 28 to 32 transverse series ; 

 transversely enlarged plates under the fore-arm 1. N. emini. 

 Head 4| to 5j times in length to vent ; foot not 

 longer than head ; parietal foramen usually 

 absent ; 34 to 41 scales across middle of body ; 

 ventrals in 32 to 37 transverse series ; trans- 

 versely enlarged plates underthe fore-arm absent 



or small 2. N. delalandii. 



Head 4 to 5 times in length to vent ; foot shorter 

 than head; 45 to 53 scales across middle of 

 body ; ventrals in 27 to 34 transverse series . 3. N. boulengeri. 



II. A series of 2 to 7 small scales between the supraoculars and the super- 



ciliaries ; 40 to 60 scales across middle of body ; transversely enlarged 

 plates under the fore-arm. 



* The head is measured to the posterior border of the ear-opening, the skull 

 being considerably longer than the pileus, which accounts for Bedriaga' s state- 

 ment that the ear-opening is situated further back than in Lacerta, " on the side 

 of the neck." 



