Acantliodacfylns. 93 



fifth).* 2 large supvatemporals. subequal or first the larger, rarely 3 ; 

 upper temporal scales minute, lower large, ofteu transversely elongate 

 and more or less strongly keeled ; a narrow tympanic shield usually 

 present ; usually 3 to 5 pointed scales form a denticulation in front of 

 the tympanum, sometimes with a few compressed and erect scales in 

 front of them. 



6 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact in the middle. 26 

 to 37 (usually 28 to 31) gular scales in a straight line between the 

 svmphvsis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed 

 in front, enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold 

 indistinct. Collar free, curved or angular, strongly serrated, composed 

 of 7 to 14 plates. 



Scales rhombic and strongly keeled throughout, very small on the 

 nape, gradually enlarged and imbricate on the back, where they pass 

 moi'e or less gradually into the caudals ; the scales on the back much 

 larger than those on the sides, rounded behind or pointed or even 

 shortly mucronate, with oblicjue keels directed towards the median 

 line, in 14 to 18 longitudinal series in the middle of the body, in 10 

 to 15 series between the hind limbs ; 26 to 38 (usually 28 to 34) 

 scales across the middle of the body. Ventral plates in 12 (rarely 14) 

 longitudinal and 28 to 32 nearly straight transverse series, on two or 

 several longitudinal series broader than long, otherwise not broader 

 than long, the outer usually pointed and feebly keeled. Usually 2 or 

 3 unpaired preanal plates, the one in front of the vent 1^ to 2 times 

 as broad as long ; or preanal region covered with small irregular 

 plates. 



16 to 24 femoral pores on each side, the two series usually meeting 

 in the middle. Fingers with 4 series of scales, the series on each side 

 forming a very feeble denticulation ; toes with only 3 series of scales, 

 the serration on the outer side much stronger than on the inner, very 

 strong on the fourth toe, where the lobes of the fringe at least equal, 

 and often exceed the diameter of the toe ; 19 to 24 uuicarinate lamellae 

 under the fourth toe. 



Upper caudal scales very oblique and strongly and diagonally 

 keeled, more or less distinctly mucronate, those at the base broader 

 than long, lower smooth or feebly keeled in the basal part of the tail ; 

 18 to 22 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. 



Young elegantly streaked with black and white, the streaks of 

 nearly equal width ; usually 5 white streaks on the nape, 4 on the 

 ])ody, 3 on the base of the tail ; but the vertebral streak sometimes 



* The snhocular " occasionally touches the labial margin " according to 

 Stoliczka. 



