208 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



posite to the dorsal series is another row of small rhomboidal or sometimes 

 triangular brown blotches on each side ; they involve 4 to 6 scales and extend 

 from the second to the fifth lateral row of scales, and are bordered by light 

 lines like the dorsal series, from which they are separated by a single scale. 

 Indications are seen of another series of small blotches resting directly upon 

 the abdominal scutellse, alternating with and a little lower than the first 

 lateral series. The abdomen is whitish yellow without distinct blotches. A 

 light line from posterior angle of superciliary and orbit to angle of jaw above 

 labials, and another from before the eye to labials. The markings of the head 

 of this species seem to be very nearly the same as in C. lucif er, there is, 

 however, indication of a light border to the external edge of the superciliary, 

 and the rostral and entire space in front of the nostril and pit as well as a 

 little posterior to these, is as dark as the crown, while inC. lucifer they 

 are distinctjy lighter. 



Though this species so closely resembles C. 1 u c i f e r, it will be distinguished 

 by the dorsal rhomboids with perfect lateral angles, by the narrower and more 

 irregular rings posteriorly, by the lighter colors generally, by the slender 

 rattle, and by the depressed nose with the difference in the frontals, and the 

 larger, natter, and smoother scales behind these. From C. a t r o x it will at once 

 be distinguished by the very different markings of the head. It differs from 

 C. t i g r i s in having the head wider behind and the muzzle narrower, position 

 of the frontals, narrower dorsal scales, and number of rows, larger dorsal 

 blotches, etc. 



Notes and Descriptions of ANOLES. 



BY E. D. COPE. 



Preliminary to a more extended memoir on the Anoline Iguanidae, the fol- 

 lowing contribution is offered to Naturalists. 



Xiphosurus ve lifer Oray. Inhabits the Island of Vieques. 

 Xiphosurus cristatellus Gray. Very abundant on the Island of St* 

 Thomas. 



Anolis distichus Cope. 



Size small, form robust. Head broad, muzzle short. Tail one and a quar- 

 ter times the length of the body, compressed, not verticillate, with an irregular 

 serrate crest. Dorsal and lateral scales equal, homogeneous, minute, granu- 

 lar, larger than the ventral ; the latter ovate, smooth. Humeral and superior 

 antibrachial scales equal to the dorsal ; those on the anterior part of the fore- 

 arm larger. Anterior femoral and tibial scales equal to the ventral ; those of the 

 superior surfaces equal to the dorsal. Toes not of the most elongate type, reach- 

 ing the external auricular opening or the posterior border of the orbit, where 

 the limb is extended. No nuchal or dorsal dermal fold. Occipital plate sub- 

 circular, rarely in contact with the superciliaries, sometimes transversely di- 

 vided. Superciliaries five to seven on each side, sometimes in contact, some- 

 times separated by a row of minute scales. Palpebrals three to eight, smooth. 

 Facial ruga? but little developed ; interrugal space but little concave, covered 

 with a few small, smooth scales. A straight median suture divides the plates 

 of the anterior two-thirds of the muzzle ; the latter arranged in four or five 

 pairs, the smallest in contact with the rostral shield, the largest separated 

 from the anterior superciliary by a large polygonal plate, and from the series 

 of the canthus rostralis by a similar one, and in contact with it. Canthus ros- 

 tralis straight, falling below the plane of the muzzle. Loreal series four. Su- 

 perior labials seven. First infralabial smaller than first inferior labial or 

 mental, its longitudinal extent greater than the transverse ; the two succeeding 



[Aug. 



