240 



BULLETIN 58, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



less than one-sixth the size of the others; keels of large scales forming 

 continuous ridges, four of the large dorsals corresponding in length 

 to about four and a half ventral plates; sides covered with minute 

 keeled scales or large granules; scales on upper surface of limbs like 

 dorsals, those on fore legs smaller, on hind legs of the same size; 

 gulars granular, merging gradually into the pointed and keeled scales 

 which cover low^er neck and collar, al)out 23 granules and scales on 

 the median line between third pair of chin-shields and collar; eight 

 rows of ventral plates, the outer rows on each side smaller, the anterior 

 ones somewhat keeled and pointed posteriorly, 27 on the median line 

 from collar to preanal plate; adjoining the ventral plates on each 

 side of the middle portion of the body three rows of small keeled scales 

 which anteriorly and posteriorly grade into the lateral granules; 

 preanal plate large, smooth, with two smaller plates on each side; 

 two inguinal pores on each side; limbs moderate, the outstretched 

 hind leg reaching the axilla; tail less than three times (about two and 



Figs. 205-208.— Taktdromus t.4.chydromoides. 2 x nat. size. 205, tof of head; 206, side of head; 



207, UNDERSIDE OF HEAD; IJOS, INGUINAL REGION. No. 7310, U.S.N.M. 



two-thirds times) as long as head and body together, swollen at base, 

 covered with strongly keeled scales which are about as long as the 

 largest dorsals. Color (in alcohol)® on back olive brown with black 

 tips to the scales forming two interrupted dorsal bands continued on 

 the tail, a median series of ill-defined blotches and a dorso-lateral 

 stripe on each side on the outer half of the outer row of large dorsals; 

 in the inner half of this row a poorly defined pale stripe; a narrow 

 black stripe from nostril through e^'e, narrowly rimming both e^'elids, 

 bifurcating behind the eye, the upper branch continuing backward 

 and joining the d-orso-lateral stripe, the lower proceeding obliquely 

 through the ear-o])ening, over the shoulder and along the sides to the 

 groin; the continuation of this stripe visil)le beliind the femur on the 

 side of tlie base of the tail as a series of l)lack spots; below this black 

 stripe a somewhat wider wdiite stripe which becomes irregular on the 



"In Stimpson's MS. catalogue the Shnoda specimens (May, 1855) are described in 

 life as "above dark coi)pery-brown, below white (like white lead)." 



