280 



the eye; five or six supraciliaries anterior to the fourth supra- 

 ocular; frontoparietals much shorter than interparietal; parietals 

 not in contact behind the latter; seven upper labials, fifth 

 largest and borderinjj the orbit; five lower labials; postmental 

 sometimes divided, followed by three pair of shields, all sepa- 

 rated. Tympanum as large as the eye-opening. Body slender, 

 with 24 — 28 scales round the middle, dorsals in six longitudinal 

 series largest, strongly keeled, with a sharply pointed hind 

 border; laterals much smaller, keeled, in oblique series. Ventral 

 scales larger than laterals, keeled; gular scales keeled. Praeanal 

 region with three large plates. Tail compressed, slightly longer 

 than head and body, with keeled scales, the upper rows with 

 stronger keels than the dorsals, spinose. Limbs slender, the 

 hind limb reaching the elbow or the axilla; digits with keeled 

 lamellae below. 



Brown above with transverse lighter bands or spots. Lower 

 parts yellowish, throat sometimes darker. Length of head and 

 body 82 mm.; tail 100 mm. 



Habitat: Celebes (Luhu!, Makassar). — Philippines. 



6. Tribolonotus Dum. & Bibr. 



(DuM. & BiBR. Erp. Gen. V p. 364, 1839). 



Palatine bones in contact in the middle of the palate, which 

 has no teeth. Teeth conical. Eyelids distinct, scaly; tympanum 

 distinct, superficial. Nostril in the nasal; no supranasals; no 

 praefrontals; frontoparietals and interparietal distinct. Head 

 well separated from the neck, bony. Neck and body covered 

 above with transverse rows of large bony shields, ending in 

 spines; sides granular; ventral scales imbricate, keeled. Limbs 

 strong, pentadactyle; digits slightly compressed, with transverse 

 lamellae below. 



Distribution. New Guinea. 



Key to the Indo-Australian species. 



A. Spines of the tail pointing upwards ; first pair of 

 chin-shields as long as postmental, followed on 

 each side by four smaller shields, gradually 



decreasing in size l. T. novae-guineac p. 281. 



B. Spines of the tail pointing backwards; first pair 

 of chin-shields much longer than postmental, 

 followed by four shields, much smaller than the 



first; a red half-ring under the orbit 2. T. gracilis p. 2S1. 



