230 BULLETIN 17 7, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



"Variations. — As to the numbers of prefrontal scales, this species 

 invariably has two. The median snout scales are three in most 

 cases, usually in a single median series, the anterior the smallest and 

 ordinarily separated from the rostral. Sometimes two scales lie side 

 by side, making four and rarely five in the median series. 



"The supraoculars are six in nearly all cases, although sometimes 

 seven and rarely five are to be counted. The prefrontals usually do 

 not touch the canthals, but sometimes on one side of the head they 

 may do so, while in one instance they touch on both sides. The 

 dorsal scales counted parallel to the dorsal crest from occiput to the 

 beginning of the tail vary between 54 and 62, while from 13 to 15 

 scales equal the distance between occiput and tip of snout in the adult 

 and from 16 to 17 scales in the young. The scales around the body 

 range approximately between 43 and 52, but the slanting of the scale- 

 rows and the interpolation of new ones makes it nearly impossible 

 to get the same count twice in succession on one individual. 



"The subdigital lamellae are 22 to 26, usually 23. The ratio of 

 the length of the hind limb compared to the total length of the head 

 and body varies somewhat with the age and sex of the specimen being 

 studied. Two very young ones obviously just out of the egg, both 

 measuring 27 mm. in combined length of head and body, have the 

 hind legs 85% of that length. The largest adult measuring 83 mm. 

 in length has a hind leg ratio of 72%. In individuals of the same 

 approximate size, the relative length of the hind limb varies as much 

 as 18%; in the specimens measuring from 50 mm. up to the maximum 

 of 83 mm., the hind leg is anywhere from 67% to 85% of that length 

 the average being 76% in four specimens. In every case, however, 

 the adpressed hind limb reaches at least as far as the anterior border 

 of the ear, and in most cases to between the ear and the eye, and 

 even occasionally as far as the eye itself. 



"The coloration of adult males is quite uniform. There is an almost 

 total reduction of body pattern, while in contrast to this is the bril- 

 liant pattern of dark and light on the lips. The mental shield in all 

 cases is black on the upper border in adult males although the females 

 and young are often nearly immaculate in this region. The top of 

 the head in males is olive-brown, often with darker sepia spots at 

 the posterior supraocular region and on the temporals, and some- 

 times with light round dots especially concentrated along the canthus 

 and superciliary border. The females and young show a pattern 

 quite similar to that of young personatus but slightly coarser. The 

 spots on the throat and chest tend to be arranged in longitudinal 

 series, while on the belly, when they are present, they assume a 

 transverse arrangement towards the sides, as a continuation of the 

 dark spots which usually show in the dark lateral band." 



Specimens examined. — As listed in table 41. 



