Ophiojjs. 217 



Measureiueuts (in iiiillimetres) of specimeus from Basra : 



From end of snout to vent 

 ,. „ ,, fore limb 



Leugtli of head 



Width of head 



Depth of head 



Fore limb 



Hind limb 



Foot . 



The known habitat of the var. mizolepis is Palestine (Haifa), 

 Mesopotamia (Basra, Amara, Euphrates), and the Punjab (lowcountrv 

 S.W. of Kalabagh). 



Var. SCHLUETEEI, Boettger. 



This is the most distinct of the various forms grouped under 0. 

 elegans, and one might feel inclined to regard it as a valid species. 

 There is, however, such an overlap in the number of scales as compared 

 with the typical form and no constancy in the other characters pointed 

 out in the original description, that it seems better to treat it as 

 a variety completely connected with the typical form and the var. 

 elirenhergii. 



The proportions are the same as in the var. elirenbergii, but the 

 dorsal scales are smaller, the posterior always much smaller than the 

 basal caudals, forming 10 to 14 longitudinal series between the hind 

 limbs ; 38 to 49 scales and plates round the middle of the body, usually 

 40 to 46.* The femoral pores are also more numerous, 10 to 16 

 on each side, usually 11 to 15.t The temporal scales are usually 

 smaller, J and the upper temporal is sometimes single. The subocular 

 borders the mouth very narrowly, its lower border rarely more than 

 J the length of the upper. A more or less distinct gular fold ; collar 

 usually better marked, but very rarely quite free. 



One specimen has a single postnasal, the two normal shields being- 

 fused. Another has 7 pairs of chin-shields, the 4 anterior in contact 

 in the middle. 



* I have counted the scales in 100 specimens from Cyprus, and noted 21 with 

 4-1, 16 with 42, 13 with 40, 11 with 45, 10 with 46, 10 with 41, 8 with 43, 

 3 with 48, 3 with 39, 2 with 47, 2 with 38, and 1 with 49. 



t 79 times 13, 59 times 12, 25 times ] 1, 23 times 14, 8 times 15, 4 times 10, 

 and twice 16. 



1 50 to 90. 



