98 DE. J. E. T. AITCHISON ON THE ZOOLOGY OF 



12. Phrtnocephalus ltiteoguttatus. (Plate VIII. fig. 4.) 



Phrynocephalus luteoguttatus, Boulenger^ Cat. Liz. iii. p. 497. 



10 specimens. Between Nushki and Helmaud. 

 3 specimens. Helmand. 



Head much depressed ; forehead convex, not sloping ; upper head-scales small, obtusely- 

 keeled, not enlarged on the occipital region ; nostril directed forwards and upwards ; 

 nasals in contact mesially ; three or four series of scales between the orbit and the 

 upper labials ; none of the chin-shields in contact with the mental or the lower labials. 

 Sides of head and neck with series of erect pointed scales. A fold along the flanks. 

 Dorsal scales rather large, rhomboidal, obtusely keeled, intermixed with enlarged, flat, 

 obtusely keeled ones ; lateral scales smaller, equal. Gular, pectoral, and ventral scales 

 smooth or very feebly keeled, ending in a point ; median gulars nearly as large as ventrals. 

 Scales on upper surface of limbs keeled. Digits strongly fringed, the fringe extremely 

 strong on the outer side of the fourth toe. Tibia longer than the skull. Tlie adpressed 

 hind limb reaches the eye. Tail about as long as head and body, depressed throughout ; 

 caudal scales keeled. Yellowish brown or rufous above, with black dots and round pale 

 yellow spots ; the sides sometimes blackish ; frequently a blackish streak along the outer 

 side of the tibia ; eyelids salmon-coloured. Lower surfaces white, belly sometimes pink ; 

 tail salmon-coloured, usually black at the end and with one to three black spots. 



millim. miUim. 



Total length 82 Fore limb 22 



Head 11 Hind limb 35 



Width of head .... 11 Tail 41 



Body 30 



The nearest ally of this new species is P. inter scapularis, Licht., which is at once 

 distinguished by having uniform dorsal scales, and the nasals separated from each other. 



13. Ophisaurus apus (Pall.). 



Pseudopus apoda, Blanford, torn. cU. p. 387. 

 Ophisaurus apus, Bouleugcr, Cat. Liz. ii. p. 280. 



3 specimens. Bala-morghab. 

 2 specimens. Gulran. 



[This snake-like Lizard was called by the natives Sag-mar (Dog snake) and Kor-mar 

 (Blind snake). Although I collected few specimens, this Lizard was to be seen in any 

 number during the whole summer all over the Badghis, the soft sandy loam of the 

 country generally suiting it exactly, as well as the presence of numerous white ants 

 which supplied it with food. I have seen it coiled near the exit of a wiiite ants' nest 

 devouring them as they came out, mouthful after mouthful ; and as these ants were a 

 little dilatory just as they were going to fly ofi', this was the opportunity for the Ophi- 

 saurus to sweep them into his gullet with his long tongue. The natives, though they 

 know that it is innocuous, destroy it wherever they see it, as an " evil thing." I did not 



