158 SAURIA. 



labials. The nostril is in a single shield, which is situated between the canthus rostralis and 

 the first upper labial. The loreal region is concave, and covered with minute shields. The 

 median shield of the lower jaw is subpentagonal, and longer than broad ; the lower labials 

 are eleven in number, and higher than those of the upper lip ; several other series of very 

 small shields run parallel to that of the labials, the remainder of the throat being covered 

 with minute granules. A low spiny crest proceeds from below the eye to the tympanum, 

 the anterior circumference of which is also provided with spinous scales ; there are several 

 other groups of spines between the tympanum and the fold of the throat, and on the sides of 

 the neck, which is exceedingly finely granulated. 



The trunk is depressed and flattened: the back is covered with small imbricate scales, 

 each being provided with a strong keel ; they gradually pass into the granulations of the 

 sides, which, however, are intermixed with small scattered spines. The belly is covered with 

 smooth square shields arranged in transverse series ; they are so small that I counted fifty of 

 them m one of the series in the middle of the belly. 



The tail is considerably depressed at the base, assumes gradually a more conical form, and 

 tapers posteriorly into a fine point ; it is verticillated. The scales form rings, are quadrangular 

 and strongly keeled, each keel terminating posteriorly in a small spine. The scales which 

 are the largest and provided with the strongest keels are those on the anterior and superior 

 parts of the extremities; the scales round the joints and on the posterior and inferior sides 

 are smaller and smooth. The fore leg reaches to the loin, if laid backwai-ds ; the third and 

 fourth fingers are the longest, and equal in length ; the second and fifth are shorter, and 

 equal each other in length ; the first is the shortest. All the fingers and toes are slightly 

 compressed and armed with strong claws. The hind leg reaches to the end of the snout, if 

 laid forwards ; the fourth toe is the longest, somewhat longer than the third and fifth, which 

 are nearly equal ; the second is considerably shorter, and the fii'st is the shortest. 



The ground-colour of the upper parts is a dusky brown, the back being ii-regularly speckled 

 with black ; two of the specimens exhibit also some lighter indistinct spots ; the lower parts 

 are whitish ; the throat is reticulated with greenish ; one specimen has the breast dotted with 

 bluish green. 



Our specimens were obtained at Simla, and in Tibet, where it extends to an elevation of 

 15,000 feet, according to a statement of Messrs. von Schlagintweit, who collected these 

 specimens. If I am correct in referring the Stellio mclicus of Blyth (which is very super- 

 ficially characterized) to this species, it occurs also in Upper Hindostan (Mirzapore, Wuzeer- 

 abad). It attains to a length of 11 or 12 inches, the tail measuring 7 or 8 inches. 



