234 [October, 



and between Ihem and the nasal, are two small quadrilateral ones ; immediately 

 behind the middle of the three plates described is a large heptagonal one, with 

 a quadrangular plate situated obliquely, and much mure broad than long, on 

 each side, in contact with iis antero-lateral facet; on the left side this contact is 

 interrupted by a small supplementary quadrangular plate ; the large hexagonal 

 plate occupies the middle of the frontal region, and lies between the two large 

 quadrangular plates, constituting the anterior extremity of the supraciliary ridge ; 

 this ridge is composed of eight plates, more or less quadrangular, in contact in 

 the middle, the upper surface of each plate, as well as that of the other plates 

 of the head, presenting numerous vermiculations ; the nostrils are subcircular, 

 each in a single plate, nearer its posterior margin ; immediately behind the nasal 

 is a very small plate, and immediately below it another, but larger, between it 

 and the single row of plates above the supra-labials ; posterior to these two 

 plates are five others of unequal size, occupying the interspace between those 

 just mentioned, and the anterior inferior margin of the orbit ; of these the upper- 

 most is the largest; there are five superior labials ; the superior surface of the 

 orbits is protected by numerous plates, of which two rows are conspicuously 

 larger than the others, the innermost, the most extended transversely, consisting 

 of four or five large plates, more or less vermiculated upon their upper surface ; 

 the external superior border of the orbit is composed of narrow longitudinal 

 plates placed one above another ; body slender, covered above and upon the 

 sides with 33 rows of quadrangular carinated scales, the carinse very distinct, 

 those upon the back the strongest, arranged in ten longitudinal and parallel 

 rows, each carina running along the middle of the scale, the margins of which 

 are well defined, but not extending in a point beyond it ; auricular opening 

 rather large, a few scales in front; temples covered with scales; a fold upon the 

 neck, bifurcating in front ; post-auricular region granulated ; immediately pos- 

 terior to the mental are three or four large and more or less quadrangular plates; 

 extremities slender, upper surface covered with carinated scales ; posterior sur- 

 face of thighs granulated, tail of moderate length, longer than head, neck and 

 body tapering to a point, cyclo-tetragonal at base ; posterior margin of anus 

 granulated, the scales immediately behind the granulations smooth ; scales of 

 chin, throat, abdomen and under surface of extremities smooth ; no transverse 

 fold upon neck; no pores in front of the anus. 



Coloration. Very dark brown, or black above; a very narrow and somewhat 

 indistinct yellow band, commencing at the axilla and extending along the 

 flanks; a broader brownish one and less distinct above; under parts bluish 

 mingled with copper color, with metallic reflections; chin and throat con- 

 spicuously black, spotted, the larger spots in front; minute black dots distributed 

 over abdomen and under surface of extremities. 



Dimensions. Length of head 4.} lines; greatest breadth 2| lines; length of 

 neck and body 1 inch; of tail 1 inch 9 lines; of arm 2 lines; of forearm 2 lines; 

 of hand to extremity of longest finger 3 lines; of thigh 2| lines; of leg 3 lines; 

 of foot to extremity of longest toe 6 lines; of tail 1| inch. Total length 3 inches 

 IJ line. 



Hab. Quinquina Island. A single specimen, presented by W. W. Ruschen- 

 berger, M.D., U.S.N. 



Gen. Remarks. The scales in this species are much smaller than in Proctro- 

 tretus nigro-maculatus, Wiegmanni, pictus or Ohilensis, being about the size of 

 those of P. tenuis, but quite different in shape. It is perhaps the smallest of 

 the Proctrotretes, and is very readily recognized. 



ECPHYMOTES, Cuvier. 



ECPHYMOTES TORQUATUS. 



A femalS specimen of Ecphymotes torquatus from Buenos Ayres, presented by 

 Dr. A. Kennedy, presents the following appearances, in which it differs from those 

 described. The rostral plate is more extended transversely and is less high ; 

 immediately behind the rostral are two large subquadrate plates instead of four 



