CROCODILIANS, LIZARDS, AND SNAKES. 



461 



Scales rouuded, flat; in about 36 rows on the dorsal region; those of 

 the muzzle smaller than dorsal, little larger than those of the occiput. 

 Internasals in contact. Seven superior labials, including that under 

 the pupil; six inferior, to the same point, the last two very small, the 

 first larger than the second, extensively in conta(;t with the first pair 

 of mental plates, which bound the symphyseal posteriorly. Each of 

 the former is bounded by tlirec smaller, and these are succeeded by a 

 few rows which diminish in size. Terminal disks with straight outlines. 

 Tail without tubercles. Anal scales similar to the abdominal. Auricu- 

 lar opening as long as pupil. Premaxillary teeth five. Above gray, 

 shining, with five broad, blackish, centrally pale cross bands, from base 

 of tail to interscapular region; a dark band from the muzzle through 

 the eye, a cross band on occiput, and various irregular spots on the 

 top of head and labial regions. 

 Length from end of muzzle to au- 

 ricular meatus, 2omm; from the 

 same point to vent, llOmm. 



Mr. Van Denburgh,' of San Fran- 

 cisco, who has seen more specimens 

 of this species than any other per- 

 son, thus writes of the variations in 

 its coloration : 



There is great variation iu the colora- 

 tion of the bead and back. In some speci- 

 mens it is pale gray or <ieain.y white, 

 while in others the prevailing tint is a dark 

 seal-brown. There are, however, some 

 fairly constant markings brighter in 

 young than iu old individuals, but appar- 

 ently subject like the ground cok)r, though 

 to a less extent, to moditication, in accord- 

 ance with the amount of light, or perhaps 

 in obedience to the will of the animal. 

 These markings are of a deeper seal-brown 

 than the ground color of the darkest indi- 

 viduals. A line originates on the second labial plate and, passing through the eye 

 and the upper ear-opcniug, runs for some distance along the neck. The upper surface 

 of the head is blotched and spotted, as are also the limbs. The tail has about nine 

 crossbars on its upper surface. All the lower surfaces are creamy white, slightly 

 tinged with brown iu the darkest specimens. The scales are everywhere minutely 

 punctnlated over with dark brpwn. 



Pliyllodactyliis unctua Cope. 



Fig. 84. 



PUTLLODACTYLUS C.VCTUS COPE. 



X S. 



Triuufo, Lower California. 



Cat. No. S5tl, I'.S.N.M. 



Catalogue Number 

 j^,,* ot speci- 



Localit V, 



5304 

 8571 



12612 

 15892 



When col 

 lected. 



From whom received. 



Nature of 

 specinii'ii. 



Capo St. Lucas, Lower John Xantus ' Ty))e :il 



Califbrniii. ] | cohol'ic. 



Triunlo LoworCalilornia I ,1874-75 Dr. T. H. Streets U. S N.' Alcoholic. 



... La Paz, Lower California. Feb. —,1882 L. Belding 



1 ' U. S. Fish Commission . . , 



do. 

 do. 



' Troceedings, California Academy of Sciences, 1895, V, p. 86. 



