43 



are studied by themselves ; but when the series tabulated is con- 

 sidered in detail, the two are unmistakably linked together by 

 intermediate variations. 



The lepidosis throughout the area of distribution, with the 

 exception of Baluchistan and South Persia, conforms generally 

 to that of the typical form, but in these two regions the scales 

 are somewhat smaller and consequently more numerous. In 

 Sind the variation is from 38 to 49 ; in the Helmund 45 to 48 ; 

 in Baluchistan and South Persia 50 to 57 ; in the Hadramut 

 42 to 47 ; and Aden 38 to 45. Were the specimens enumerated 

 in the accompanying table (pp. 38-41) arranged according to the 

 numerical sequence of their scales, they would form a practically 

 unbroken series from 38 to 57. 



The structure o£ its digits and its acutely pointed snout enable 

 this species at once to be distinguished from A. hoskianus, Daud. 



Eremias guttulata, Licht. 



JEremias guttulata, Blgr. Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. iii. 1887, p. 87 ; 

 Anderson, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1895, p. 646. 



^ 5- . . . . 



In this species the interparietal is almost always in contact 



with the occipital, but exceptions occur in which a well- developed 

 small plate is interposed between them. It is rare, however, as 

 I have only observed it in three cases, among 52 specimens from 

 Egypt proper (Nile Valley) and the district of Suakiu. One 

 instance occurred at Luxor, and two at Durrur, north of Suakin. 

 In the former locality I also met with two specimens in which 

 two small scales existed side by side between the two shields in 

 question. This specimen from the Hadramut has also a plale 

 interposed between them. In its low number of ventrals, viz. 

 eight, it resembles the variety described by Stoliczka as E. {Mesa- 

 Una) ivatsonana, which had also a small plate interposed between 

 the interparietal and occipital. 



EiiEMiAS BEEViEOSTEis, Blauford. 



Eremias ivatsonanus, Stoliczka, Proc. As. Soc. Beng. 1872, 

 p. 125 {nee ante, p. 86). 



Mesalina hrevirostris, Blanford, Eastern Persia, ii. Zool. &Geol. 

 1876, p. 379. 



Eremias hrevirostris, 'B\gx. Cat. Liz. Brit. Mus. iii. 1887, p. 89. 



14 6 and 4 $ . 



Head short, contracted before the eyes ; snout short; nostrils 



