524 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1898. 



ble of exact and intelligible definition. The northern form, on the whole, 

 is smaller, with a shorter tail, and decidedly more slender head and 

 bod3\ The scales are snraller, as shown by an average of 51 in a series 

 instead of 47. They are less prominently carinated, especially on the 

 arms and legs. 



The color appears to differ in the more indistinct dorsal bands, which 

 are usnally more or less effaced along the back, where they also lack 

 the distinct white specks bordering the black behind. 



The form called G. grandis is distinguished from the types of G. multi- 

 carinatus by its greater smoothness, the absence of white spots on the 

 back, and the more uniform oliv^e-brown color. 



It is smoother than the types of G. scineicauda, the hind legs a little 

 longer, the scales smaller, the frontal shorter, the tail apparently 

 longer. The coloration is very different, being of a uniform clear brown 

 olive, with dusky bars shading gradually into paler below, and sharply 

 spotted on the sides with white. It is not, however, distinguishable, in 

 my opinion, from the typical forms either as species or subsjiecies. 



A specimen from Fort Tejon (Oat. No. 4129) differs quite decidedly 

 from the types in having the head and body narrower and more elon- 

 gated; the head to ear is not one fifth the head and body. The width 

 of the head is not t<vo-thirds the distance from snout to ear, which is 

 one fifth the head and body. There are 52 scales in a line from occiput 

 to above anus, and 03 from chin to anus. The ridges of the scales on 

 the sides are quite obsolete; those on the legs perfectly smooth, exce[»t 

 a few faint indications on the upper edge. The legs are very feeble, 

 the distance from the knee to the end of toes being equal to that from 

 snout to ear; from elbow to end of claw is four-fifths this distance. 

 There are about thirteen bands from head to anus. The bands on the 

 back are more distinct and a good deal spotted behind with white. 



The geographical range of the Gcrrhonotus multwannatus is the 

 Pacific district from Pnget Sound to San Diego, Calilbrnia, and as far as 

 the southern extremity of the Lower Californian peninsula. According 

 to Mr. T. S. Palmer, the present form is confined to the chaparral belt. 

 Stejneger is of the opinion that the Cape St. Lucas form is specifically 

 distinct from the Californian, but I have not been able to substantiate 

 the difference. He uses for the latter the name G. scineicauda Skilton. 



(ierrhonotus muliicarinatns Blainville. 



