148 SAURIA. 



ACANTHOSAURA AEMATA. 



Agama armata. Gray, Zool. Journ. 1827, iii. p. 216. 



Acanthosaura armata, Gray, Lizards, p. 240. 



Lophyrus armatus, Bum. ^ Bibr. iv. p. 413. Cantor, Mai. Rept. p. 32. 



Body covered with small, rough, granular scales; larger scales, each termmating in a 

 small spine, are scattered all over the back : a crest, slightly mterrupted on the neck, extends 

 from the occiput to the root of the tail ; it is composed of spines, which are long, pointed on 

 the neck and on the anterior part of the back, and short and triangular posteriorly ; two or 

 three series of shorter spines cover the base of the crest. The upper orbital edge is promi- 

 nent, sharp ; there is a long spine, surrounded by smaller ones, above the hinder angle of 

 the orbit ; a similar spine with smaller ones at its base on each side of the neck above the 

 tympanum. Tympanum as large as the eye. Gular sac none ; a fold before each shoulder, 

 not extending across the throat. Ventral scales keeled ; twenty or twenty-two longitudinal 

 series across the breast between the axils. The scales in the prseanal region are generally 

 rather larger than those of the belly. Tail but slightly compressed, with all the scales keeled ; 

 tliose on its lower surface are longer than broad, very strongly keeled, each keel terminating 

 in a small spine. Limbs of moderate length ; the hind limb extends to the temple, if laid 

 forwards. Toes with keeled scales below ; the foui'th toe (measured from the heel) is as long 

 as, or only a little longer than, the head ; the third is one-fourth shorter. Greenish brown, 

 with roundish lighter spots ; five or six black lines radiate from the orbit over the lip. 

 Sometimes light-coloured, Avith irregular dark-brown spots. 



This species is found at Singapore, Pinang, on the coasts of Tenasserim and Siam 

 (Chartaboum), and in Cochinchina, but does not appear to be numerous. We have examined 

 specimens 12J inches long, the tail taking 7. Dr. Cantor observes that two live specimens 

 (which arc now in the British Museum) were very active and fierce, possessed in a slight 

 degree the power of clianging the ground-colour, and refused food and water. In a female 

 were found thirteen eggs, of an oval shape, f ths of an inch long. The stomach contained 

 fragments of leaves and twigs. 



Acanthosaura capra. (Plate XIV. fig. F.) 



Acantliosaura capra, Giinth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 18G1, April 23, p. 188. 



Back and sides covered with small but imbricate smooth scales, which become gradually 

 somewhat larger and more distinctly keeled towards the belly ; no large scales intermixed 

 with tlie small ones, only a few appearing to be a little larger than the rest. Nuchal crest 

 separated from the dorsal crest by a small interspace ; the former is composed of long, pointed, 

 compressed spines; the latter of triangular scales, which are of moderate size anteriorly, 

 becoming smaller behind. The upper orbital edge is rather prominent, terminating in a long 

 spine behind, with some small spines at its base. No spine on the side of the neck. Tym- 

 panum smaller than the eye. Throat expansible, without appendage ; a short fold before 



