LIZARDS. 07 



Fam. XII. The Pygopodes, (Pygopid^). 



Head pyramidical, shielded, short, with 2 or 3 pair of band- 

 like supranasal shields above the nasal shield, with a large inter- 

 nasal and frontal shields. Nostrils oblong, in the lower angle 

 of the band-like transverse nasal, appearing in the suture between 

 the outer angle of the nasal, the front loreal shield, and the lower 

 labial plates. Throat covered with small scales. Teeth conical, 

 simple. The palate toothless, with a broad longitudinal groove. 

 Tongue flat, scaly in front, velvety behind, rounded and nicked at 

 the end. Ears distinct, exposed, tympanum sunk. Eyelid rudi- 

 mentary, circular, immovable, scaly." Body cylindrical, elongate. 

 Ventral shields broad, 6-sided, in 2 or 4 series. Tail with 3 series 

 of broader shields, the central broadest. Limbs 2, posterior, mdi- 

 mentary, undivided, scaly, on the side of the vent. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



1. Pygopus. Scales of the back keeled. Preanal pores numer- 



ous. The hinder limbs elongate. Pupil circular. 



2. Delma. Scales smooth. Preanal pores none. Pupil ellip- 



tical, erect. Hinder limbs short. 



1. Pygopus, Fitz., Merrem. Bipes, Cuv. Hysteropus, 

 Dum. et Bib. Sheltopusik, Oppel. 



Head short, truncate, rounded, with 2 parietal and a pair of 

 occipital plates. Rostral plate large. Pupil circular. Scales of 

 the back keeled. Ear ovate. Vent with a series of pores in front. 

 Hinder limbs elongate, ovate, compressed, scaly. Tail cylindri- 

 cal, rather tapering. 



The Pygopus. Pygopus lepidopodus. Bipes lepidopodus, 

 Lacep. Ann. Mus. N. ij.iv. 193, 209, t. 55, 1. Schinz. Ahhild. t. 

 42,/. 2. Pygopus lepidopus, Merrem^ Tent. 77. Bory, Res. Er- 

 pet. 142, t. 27, f. 2. Hysteropus Novs Hollandice, Z>nm. et Bib. 

 E. G. v. 828, t.bb. Sheltopusik Novfe HollandiEe, Oppel, Rept. 40. 



Coppery grey, with 5 series of oblong, 4-sided, white-edged, 

 black spots and some oblique black streaks on the side of the neck; 

 muzzle with 2 pair of broad transverse frontals, similar in shape 

 to the nasals. 



a. Adult, in spirits. Australia. 



b. Adult, in spirits. Australia. Presented by the Rev. N.Wilton. 



c. d. Adult, in spirits. With 3 rows of large, white-sided, black 



spots, with a small plate between the supranasals. Swan 

 River. Presented by Dr. Richardson. 



