JAPALUEA SWINHONIS. 133 



the Himalayas, a second on the island of Formosa, and a third in one of the Loochoo 

 Islands. 



* A white band along each side of the neck J. variegata, p. 133. 



** A white band along each side of the body J. SKnnhonis,^). IS3. 



*** Uniform greenish olive /. polyyonata, p. 134. 



Japalura VAEIEGATA. 



Biancia niger. Gray, in Ann. ^ Mag. Nat. Hist. xii. 1853, p. 387. 

 Japalura variegata, Gray, ibid. 



Head covered with small, irregular, keeled shields above ; canthus rostralis sharp ; a small 

 tubercle behind the superciliary edge ; throat covered with small keqled scales ; a series of 

 small shields commences at the chin and runs backwards parallel to the lower labial shields. 

 Tongue scarcely notched in front ; two small canine teeth in each jaw ; the upper with 

 fifteen very small molars on each side, much smaller than those of the lower jaw, which are 

 subcorneal and seventeen in number. A fold across the throat ; male with a small gular 

 pouch. Nape of the neck granular, with scattered larger tubercles. Both sexes with a 

 nuchal crest, composed of triangular lobes; it is continued along the back as a slight 

 serrated ridge, and gradually disappears on the anterior part of the tail. Trunk slightly 

 compressed ; the upper parts are covered with smallish, keeled scales, intermixed with larger 

 ones, all having their points obliquely directed upwards. Ventral scales strongly keeled, of 

 moderate size ; there are about thirty-eight scales in a longitudinal series between fore and 

 hind limb. All the scales of the tail are rhombic and keeled, those on its lower side being 

 the largest. The hind limb extends to the eye, if laid forwards ; toes with keeled scales 

 below ; the fourth hind toe is one-fourth longer than the third. Back with alternate brown 

 or black and greyish or yellowish-white cross bands which ascend obliquely backwards ; 

 head above variegated with black ; a light, black-edged cross band on the interorbital 

 space. A white or yellow band along the upper lip ; another irregular band along each 

 side of the neck, confluent with one of the light cross bands. Gular sac black behind ; tail 

 with broad brown or black rings. 



The colours, however, vary to a considerable extent in this species. A large female is 

 almost wholly black above, variegated with yellow, all the larger scales being of the latter 

 colour. The characteristic bands on the head and side of the neck are present. 



This species is a native of Sikkim ; it attains to a length of 12 inches, the tail taking two- 

 thirds of it. 



Japalura swinhoxis. (Plate XIV. fig. B.) 



This species has a very great resemblance to that from the Himalayas, and may be chiefly 

 distinguished by its peculiar coloration. 



