December, 1844.] 171 



Dimensions. 



Length of head, 



Breadth, .... 



Length of body, 



Length of tail, 

 Habitat. — Liberia, West Africa. 



The above specimen was placed in my hands by my friend Dr. Blanding, in 

 whose honour I have named it. 



Tropidolepis Africanus. 



Description. — Head of moderate size, quadrangular, depressed in front, supra- 

 orbitar ridges much developed ; there is a ridge extending from the eye to near 

 the extremity of the snout ; the nostril is small, circular, placed nearer the ex- 

 tremity of the snout than the anterior margin of the orbit ; between this ridge 

 and the superior margin of the under jaw there is a depression, which is well 

 marked ; the tympanum is of a moderate size, depressed, at some distance below 

 the level of the surrounding surface. There are twelve quadrilateral plates 

 extending along the margin of the upper jaw. The rostral plate is hexagonal. 

 There are eleven or twelve small quadrangular plates along the under margin 

 of the under jaw. The head is covered with imbricated, polygonal scales; those 

 upon the front and posterior part of it are strongly carinated ; the vertical plate 

 is hexagonal. The eyelids are covered with numerous small granules. There 

 are two folds under the neck, which are well marked. The body is covered 

 with quadrangular scales which are carinated. The tail is flattened beneath, 

 rounded above and upon the sides. It exceeds the length of the head and 

 body by about one inch. The abdomen, and under surface of the throat are 

 covered with small quadrangular scales, which are also carinated ; those upon 

 the chin are smooth. The submental plate is smooth, pentagonal. The an- 

 terior extremities, when extended along the sides of the body, meet as far as the 

 thighs. The posterior exceed the anterior extremities by the whole length of the 

 toes and tarsus. The under surface of the legs, feet and tail, are covered 

 with scales, which are strongly carinated. There are thirteen pra?anal pores. 

 There is a small crest, extending from the occiput along the neck, and between 

 the shoulders. 



Colour. — Head browni 3 h above ; superior parts of body, tail and extremities, 

 of a leaden ash colour. The same colour predominates upon the under surface 

 of the chin and upon the abdomen. Under surface of thighs, legs and tail, light 

 straw colour. 



Dimensions. 



Inches. 

 Length of head, .... 1 



Breadth posteriorly, f 



Length of body, 2 j 



Length of tail, - • - - A\ 



Length of anterior extremities, If 



Length of posterior extremities, - 2| 



