272 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



bars oil each side of the cbiu and oue or two ou the side of the neck 

 next to the shoulder. 



The description of Callisaurus draconoides by Blainville is too incom- 

 plete to permit us to determine if it is identical with C. ventralis of 

 Hallowell. The back is indicated as transversely banded, and the 

 sides of the belly as with three spots, which scarcely applies to the 

 ventrcais. The numerous specimens in the U. S. National Museum from 

 Cape St. Lucas and La Paz enable us to determine it as the same. 



In external form and general apj)earance this species is so very 

 similar to Holhroolcia texana as not to require any very elaborate 

 descrii^tion. The most prominent points of distinction are seen in the 

 excessively lengthened feet and distinct external auditory aperture. 

 This is narrow, elliptical, and vertical; the borders smooth, or Avith a 

 faint crenation anteriorly. The dentate processes of the lower eyelid 

 are longer than in HolbrooMa; the plates on the chin smaller, as also 

 the imbricated scales ou the anterior edge of the humerus. The scales 

 on the sides are rather more rounded and paved, as well as a little 

 smaller than those of the back. The feet are excessively lengthened; 

 the hind foot very nearly or quite half the head and body; the toes 

 very slender. The claws are all much longer, straighter, and more 

 compressed than in Molbrookia texana. 



Three varieties or subspecies of the Callisaurus draconoides may be 

 recognized, but they are not aufiSciently constant to be entitled to per- 

 manent rank. They are represented, respectively, by specimens from 

 the southern part of the peninsula of Lower California, from the 

 northern part of the same, and from the southern part of Arizona. 

 They are characterized as follows : 



I. A band of granular scales before as well as behind scales of collar. .Super- 

 ciliary scales smaller, separated on the middle line; smaller scales before ear; 

 collar scales pointed behind; three black lateral spots; legs shorter; wrist 



and hind foot not reaching end of muzzle C. d. draconoides. 



II. A baud of granular scales behind collar only. Superciliary scales equal froutals 

 and in contact on middle line; larger scales before ear; legs longer; wrist 



beyond muzzle, hind foot mostly so C d. fjaljhii (Cope). 



III. No granular bands on throat. Small scales before ear; collar scales not pointed 

 behind; two black spots on sides, the posterior proloniicd backward; feet 

 long; wrist to beyond muzzle, hind foot equal or beyond muzzle.. C. d. ventralis. 



Callinaurus draconoides draconoides Blainville. 



