Eremias. 227 



group constitutiug the typical Eremias, Avliicli, tliougli typical in 

 virtue of the rules of uomeuclature, are the most remote from the 

 original type from the phylogenetic point of view. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



Section I. Lamprebemias, Blgr.— Three (rarely four) nasals, the lower in 

 contact with the first upper labial (rarely first and second) and with the 

 rostral ; ventral plates in 6 (exceptionally 8) straight longitudinal series ; 

 toes not or but feebly compressed, with bi- or tricarinate laniellse interiorly. — 

 Tropical Africa. 



A. Frontal in contact with the two large supraoculars ; lower nasal narrowly 



in contact with rostral. 

 42 to 6-t keeled scales across middle of body ; 21 to 24 lamellse 



under the fourth toe ..... 1. E. nitida, Gthr., p. 231. 



65 to 68 keeled scales across middle of body ; 26 lamellee under 



the fourth toe ; nostril between 4 shields. 



2. E. quadrinasalis, Chaban., p. 234. 



B. Frontal separated from the supraoculars by small scales ; lower nasal 



extensively in contact with rostral. 

 60 to 77 keeled scales across middle of body ; 20 to 26 lamells 

 under the fourth toe ; upper head-shields striated. 



3. E. spelcii, Gthr., p. 235. 

 68 to 87 keeled scales across middle of body ; 25 to 29 lamellee 

 under the fourth toe; upper head-shields smooth. 



4. E. lugubris, A. Smith, p. 239. 

 Section II. Psbudekemias, Hoettg. — Four nasals, two lower in contact with 

 the two or three first upjjer labials, the anterior also with the rostral ; ventral 

 plates in 6 to 10 straight longitudinal series ; toes strongly compre.ssed, with 

 unicarinate lamellae interiorly ; frontal separated from the supraoculars by 

 small scales. — N.E. Africa and Sinaitic Peninsula. 



A. Upper head-shields smooth or rugose, not striated. 



Upper head-shields smooth or a little rugose ; 65 to 80 smooth 

 or feebly keeled scales across middle of body ; upper caudal 

 scales strongly keeled ; ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal 

 series ; subocular often bordering the mouth. 



5. E. mucronata, Blanf., p. 244. 



Upper head-shields rugose or pitted; 68 to 82 smooth scales 

 across middle of body ; upper caudal scales strongly keeled ; 

 ventral jjlates in 8 or 10 longitudinal series ; subocular 

 not reaching the mouth . . . 6. E. smithii, Blgr., y>. 247. 



Upper head-shields smooth ; 53 to 60 keeled scales across 

 middle of body ; upper caudal scales feebly keeled ; ventral 

 plates in 8 longitudinal series ; subocular not reaching the 

 mouth . . . . . . .I.E. erythrosticta, Blgr., p. 250. 



B. Upper head-shields striated ; ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal series ; 



53 to 68 keeled scales across middle of body. 

 Upper head-shields coarsely striated ; subocular bordering the 



mouth ; 13 to 18 femoral pores on each side . 8. E. stricda, Peters, p. 251. 



