Mr. Bell on a new Species of Agama. 107 



lour in all seasons appears to be the same both in male and 

 female. Like the species of the genus Coluber, this lizard is 

 never seen more than a mile or a mile and half from the water ; 

 but, on the contrary, is invariably found in the greatest numbers 

 in its immediate vicinity." 



The existence of femoral pores in this species is particularly 

 important, as it totally invalidates the generic character of 

 Agama as hitherto given by authors, who have considered the 

 absence of these organs as essentially distinguishing the genus. 

 Whether the presence or the absence of femoral pores is to be 

 considered as a character of sufficient importance, standing 

 alone, to separate species otherwise perfectly similar in every 

 circumstance both of form and structure, can hardly be deter- 

 mined until the use of these singular bodies is ascertained : but 

 in our present state of ignorance on this point, it is hardly safe 

 perhaps to view it in so important a light ; and as in every other 

 respect this may be considered as even a typical representative 

 of the genus, I should propose rather to alter the generic cha- 

 racter for its reception, to the formation of a new genus by 

 which it would be separated from its immediate congeners. 



p 2 VIII. Be- 



