— 231 — 



specimen there are, as the figure 1 sliows, 7 rectangular plates from 

 rostral to centre of eye, gradually decreasing in size, but behind tbem 

 5 small rounded scales might also be considered as labials, though they 

 are placed not quite on the outermost margin of the lip. In two of 

 the Njoro speciraens these small extra plates are wanting, the upper 

 labials being 7 — 8 in number, the hindmost of which are placed below 

 the eye. and as Mocquard states very small. In the third specimen, 

 however, \ve find a pair of such small scale-like plates by which 

 characteristic it approaches the Tanga specimen. As shown, the specimens 

 and «species» discussed correspond very well in the arrangement of the 

 labials as well as in that of the plates below the toes. 



The Situation of the nostril is qu ite the same in the Tanga specimen 

 as in those from Njoro, and is also in agreement with the description 

 given by Mocquard, but in H. floweri Wernee describes the nostril 

 as having a somewhat dissimilar Situation. In that specimen there is 

 no distinct supranasal shield but only a small scale separated from its 

 fellow by a third median scale which is abseilt in H. tropidolepis as 

 well as in the specimens from Tanga and Njoro. Also this difference 

 is certainly not to be considered as a specific characteristic, for, if it 

 were, the Tanga specimen ought to correspond with H. floweri, and not 

 with H. tropidolepis and the Njoro specimens. It is simply to be 

 regarded as an individual Variation. 



Considering the facts set forth above I am convinced that all the 

 species and specimens mentioned mnst be referred to a Single rather 

 variable species, H. tropidolepis Mocquard, distributed over Somaliland, 

 Abyssinia. British- and German East Africa. 



