ACANTHOSAURA. 147 



Oriocalotes minor. 



Calotes minor. Gray, Lizards, p. 24-1. 



This lizard has quite the appearance of a Calotes ; its head is covered above with small 

 obtusely keeled shields, some on the superciliaries and on the occiput being larger than the 

 rest. The canthus rostralis and the superciliary margin are but slightly prominent, and 

 there is a small spine behind the latter ; neck and temples tubercular ; two groups of spines 

 above each tympanum ; throat covered with small keeled scales ; a fold of the skin before 

 each shoulder. Trunk but slightly compressed ; a low crest, composed of triangular spines, 

 commences on the neck and is visible as a serrated ridge to the end of the trunk. The 

 middle of the trunk is surrounded by forty-eight or fifty series of scales ; those on the sides 

 are as large as those on the belly, but several very large ones are intermixed between the 

 smaller ones on the sides ; tail covered with keeled scales equal in size and form. The hind 

 limbs extend beyond the tympanum, if laid forwards ; the fourth hind toe is but little longer 

 than the thii'd. Greyish olive, marbled with brown, the brown spots being sometimes band- 

 like between the eyes, on the limbs, and across the base of the tail. Brown streaks radiate 

 from the orbit. 



Some of the specimens received from the East India Company were marked as coming 

 from Afghanistan, and others from Khasya; it is probable, however, that they were all 

 from the latter country. Messrs. v. Schlagintweit found this lizard in Sikkim. It is a small 

 species, attaining to the length of 7 inches, the tail taking 4^ inches. 



ACANTHOSAURA, Grai/. 



Tympanum naked. Back and sides covered with very small scales, between 

 which, generally, larger keeled ones are scattered ; a free spine behind the 

 superciliary edge. Dorsal crest present, formed by non-united spines. 

 Gular sac none. Tail slightly compressed at the base, with keeled scales 

 below, which are longer than broad. 



The three species known are confined to the continent, as far as our present knowledge 

 extends. 



A long spine on each side of the neck ; orbital edge not serrated . . . . A. armata. 



No spine on the side of the neck A. capra. 



A short spine on each side of the neck ; orbital edge serrated A. coronata. 



"U2 



