146 agamidjE. 



G-enus AGAMA, 

 Daiidin, Hist. Eept. iii, p. 333, 1802. 



Tympanum distinct. Body more or less depressed. Dorsal crest 

 absent or feebly developed. A pit on each side of the throat and a 

 transverse gailar fold. Gular sac present or absent. Tail round or 

 feebly compressed. No femoral pores : males with callose prseaual 

 scales. 



Distribution. The whole of Africa and South-western Asia ; in 

 the Indian Eegion only in the North-western and Himalayan 

 areas. 43 species are known. 



Agamas are found in barren localities or on rocks, sometimes on 

 shrubs. 







P ': 



Fig. 4.3. — Agama isolepis. Upper surface of head and anal region. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. Tail not verticillate. 



a. Dorsal scales keeled A. isolepis, p. 147. 



h. Dorsal scales smooth A, ruhritjularis, p. 1 47. 



B. Tail verticillate, the caudal segments com- 



posed of more than two whorls of scales. 



a. Ventral scales not much smaller than 



largest dorsals. 

 a' . Dorsal scales keeled ; upper head-scales 



smooth or feebly keeled A. tnheicnlata, p. 148. 



h' . Dorsal scales keeled ; upper head-scales 



sharply keeled A. daj/ana, p. 148. 



c' . Dorsal scales smooth or very feebly keeled A. Iu'ma/(ii/ana,\\. 141). 



b. Ventral scales not more than half size of 



largest dorsals. 

 a'. Upper head-scales keeled ; dorsal scales 



sharply keeled ; flanks with enlarged 



scales A. agrorensis, p. 149. 



h' . Median dor.sal scales of unequal width, 



forming regular longitudinal series .... A. meJanura, p. 150. 

 c'. Median dorsal scales equal, forming regular 



longitudinal series ; no enlarged scales 



on the flanks A. lirata, p. 150. 



d' . Dorsal scales large, equal, mucronate, the 



keels forming ohlique lines A. nupta, p. 151. 



C. Tail verticillate, divided into distinct seg- 

 ments each composed of two whorls of scales. A. caucasica, p. 151. 



