96 BRITISH LIZARDS 



normally 2 regularly superposed post-nasals and 4 

 upper labials anterior to the sub-ocular ; a series of 

 granules may be present between the supra-oculars 

 and the supra-ciliaries ; occipital narrower than the 

 frontal ; temples covered with flat scales ; 2 large 

 temporal shields in contact with the parietal. Gular 

 fold usually distinct ; 1 6 to 2 5 gular scales on a 

 line between the collar and the third pair of chin 

 shields ; collar with serrated edge, composed of 7 to 

 12 plates. Dorsal scales oval-hexagonal or rhom- 

 boidal, keeled, not or but slightly larger on the sides, 

 where 2 or 3 correspond to the length of a 

 ventral plate; 40 to 58 scales across the middle of 

 the body. Ventral plates in 6 or 8 longitudinal 

 series, the second series of each side from the median 

 ventral line the largest ; 25 to 31 transverse series. 

 Pre -anal plate bordered by two semicircles of small 

 plates. The hind-limb reaches between the wrist of 

 the adpressed fore-limb and the shoulder. Foot, 

 in the female and young, longer than the head. 

 Femoral pores, 12 to 20. Tail usually about twice as 

 long as head and body ; caudal scales keeled, pointed 

 posteriorly. 



" Central and Southern Europe ; South-western Asia. 



" {a) FORMA TYPICA 



" Granules between the supra-oculars and the supra- 

 ciliaries often absent ; occipital usually very small ; 

 usually a distinct masseteric plate but no tympanic. 



