344 Lacf'vtithv. 



sometimes with one or two small shields between them*; frontal as 

 long as or shorter thau its distance from the end of the snout, H to 

 1^ times as long as broad, ^ to f of its lateral border in contact with 

 the supraoculars f ; parietals as long as broad, or a little longer than 

 broad or a little broader than long ; interparietal much smaller thau 

 the frontoparietals ; no occipital. Two large supraoculars, first usually 

 shorter than second and as long as or shorter than its distance from 

 the second loreal ; sometimes a third, small supraocular, often band- 

 like ; sometimes one or two small shields in front, separated from the 

 first large supraocular by a series of granules ; 6 to 8, rarely 5, super- 

 ciliaries, first longest ; 1 to 3 series of granular scales between the 

 supraoculars and the superciliaries, the first or second superciliary 

 sometimes in contact with the first supraocular. Rostral IJ to IJ 

 times as broad as deep, or nearly as deep as long ; three nasals, J the 

 lower usually separated from the rostral, sometimes narrowly in con- 

 tact with it, resting on the first and second, rarely on the first, 

 second, and third upper labials ; anterior loreal deeper than long, 

 shorter than the second, both sometimes transversely divided into 

 two, rarely absent § ; 5 to 8 upper labials to below the centi-e of the 

 eye ; subocular keeled below the eye, not reaching the mouth, 

 resting on the 4th to 6th, 5th to 7th, 5tli to 8th, 6th to 8th, 6th to 

 9th, or 6tli to 10th upper labials. 2 to 4 narrow upper temporal 

 shields sometimes present ; temporal scales granular, smooth, lower 

 usually much larger ; tympanic shield as often absent as present|| ; 

 no auricular denticulation. Lower e\elid opaque, with feebly enlarged 

 scales in the middle. 



5 or 6, rarely 4, pairs of chin-shields, the two or three anterior in 

 contact in the middle T[; 24 to 35, usually 26 to 30, gular scales in a 

 straight line between the symphysis of the chin-shields and the median 

 collar-plate; gular fold distinct. Collar feebly curved, free, usually 

 strongly serrated,** composed of 9 to 15 rather large plates, usually 

 9 to 18. 



*. Out of 57 specimens examined, one shield is present in 13, two in 6 ; in one 

 specimen thei-e are three small shields, forming a triangle. 



t In a yonug from Mangischlak a series of granules separates the frontal 

 from the supraoculars. 



X The lower nasal is divided in two specimens ( J from Alakul and Isbes 

 Khan). 



§ In a female from Tartary. 



II Present in 28 specimens out of 57. 



T[ In two specimens the symphysis is formed by 2 sliields on one side and 3 on 

 the other. 



** Nearly straiglit-edged in a female from Odessa. 



