88 HELLER 



eight scales. Superior labials lo-ii, as wide as high. Mental plate 

 broadly triangular, height twice in the length, as long as rostral, bor- 

 dered posteriorly by four submentals, the two inner much larger; infe- 

 rior labials i i-i 2, similar in shape to superior labials. Chin and throat 

 covered with small scales, the chin with a median groove from angle 

 of mental ; throat and chin longitudinally plicate. Dorsal surface with 

 small conical, sharply pointed scales, those on superior and anterior 

 surfaces of limbs larger; toes above with enlarged median lamellae 

 distally. A dorsal crest of enlarged scales from nape to tail ; highest 

 on nape where represented by nine high conical scales ; lower and 

 more uniform on dorsum, where composed of slightly compressed 

 conical, juxtaposed scales, highest anteriorly, becoming obsolete be- 

 tween hind limbs and reappearing again on tail. Lower surfaces cov- 

 ered with larger, squarish, smooth scales, those before anus smaller and 

 rounded. Inferior and posterior surfaces of limbs covered with small 

 scales, these beginning on hind limbs abruptly at femoral pores; toes 

 inferiorly with a median series of enlarged tricarinate lamellae, thirty- 

 one under fourth tqe. Tail rounded, tapering gradually, covered with 

 large, square, obliquely keeled scales ; crest obsolete on posterior part. 

 Femoral pores 22-23. 



Coloration in Life. — Above light clay yellow, a large light-brown 

 blotch between hind limbs, another across middle of back; toes more 

 brownish toward tips; below cream, axilla and groins pinkish; whole 

 neck and eyelids bluish; labials and sides of head blotched with 

 grayish and yellow. 



Variations. — Height of dorsal crest and convexity of scales on top 

 of head varies with age. In immature specimens they are much lower. 

 Superior labials nine to eleven, usually ten ; inferior labials nine to 

 thirteen. Femoral pores 20-24. Brown blotches on dorsal surface 

 vary much in extent, absent in some specimens; appear to be due to 

 shedding. Coloration of underparts cream-yellow to pinkish-cream; 

 bluish of neck and labials most marked in immature specimens. Young 

 vermiculated with dark brown on an olive-yellow ground ; below light 

 yellowish. 



Close to C. siibcristatus from which it differs in its paler colora- 

 tion, lacking the chrome-yellow head and limbs and dark red dorsum 

 of that species. The mental and rostral plates are wider, also. 



Six specimens collected. Rather sparingly distributed in small 

 colonies throughout the islands. Many of the dried skins found near 

 an old camp where the lizards had been used as food by the Ecuado- 

 rians. This would account for the scarcity of the reptiles on the island. 



