A Revision of the Lizards of the Genus Nucras, Gray. 207 



Praeanal plate large, with a smaller one on each side and a large 

 pair in front, or two subequal praeauals, one in front of the other. 



A series of 4 to 7 transversely enlarged plates on the lower surface 

 of the fore limb. Scales on upper surface of tibia smaller than 

 dorsals. 11 to 14 femoral pores on each side. 20 to 25 lamellar 

 scales under the fourth toe. 



Caudal scales forming whorls of nearly equal length, upper rather 

 narrow, the median pair sometimes broader, rather strongly keeled, 

 truncate behind, with distinct sensory pits. 



The type specimen, a female from Latakoo, near Kurumau, now 

 rather bleached, has the markings well preserved, although the black 

 has turned to a pale brown, and answers to A. Smith's diagnosis : 

 " Colour above, reddish brown, with two rows of circular white spots, 

 discontinued about half-way between the anterior and posterior 

 extremities, each spot surrounded by a black ring ; sides chequered, 

 black and white, the latter colour disposed in narrow vertical stripes. 

 Tail light brown, with a dotted black line on each side, and the space 

 between them above marked with small black spots. Under parts 

 white." This description is supplemented by a very good account of 

 the same specimen by Dumeril and Bibrou, of which this is a 

 translation : 



Instead of a great number of small black spots with white pupils 

 (as in L. delalandii), there are only two series, but a little larger, on 

 each side of the back. Two or three irregular blackish spots on the 

 upper lip. Two vertical blackish stripes on the temple, which is white ; 

 a third above the ear, and three or four on the neck. Others along 

 the flanks, but shorter ; on examining them carefully, one may guess 

 how they were formed. It is probable that, in early youth, white 

 spots encircled with black existed on the flanks ; gradually, as they 

 enlarged, the black circle opened above and beneath ; then each of the 

 two portions became raised and fused with the other, whilst simul- 

 taneously the white central spots enlarged vertically, thus producing 

 alternating black and white vertical bars. Upper surface of hind 

 limbs with some white spots incompletely surrounded with blackish. 

 Here and there some black spots on the upper surface of the base of 

 the tail ; others, smaller, are present on the sides, so regularly 

 arranged and so crowded as to form a longitudinal stripe (PI. VI, fig. 8). 



The interpretation given to the markings by the authors of the 

 ' Erpetologie Gencrale' is fully confirmed by the examination of the 

 young, with which we are now acquainted (var. ocellata, Blgr.). 



Very young specimens (37-40 mm. to vent), from Pietersburg, 

 Transvaal, are dark brown above and blackish on the sides, with 



