108 R. niROTA. 



a small accpssory tail that branched off from the main tail (fig. 1). This 

 seemed to be of interest, since all the cases of bifid tails hitherto describ- 

 ed in lizards, so far as are known to me, were almost restricted to 

 Lacertidae, it being rather exceptional ^ to meet with similar cases outside 

 that family. 



The specimen of Ablephariif; Boutouii in question is one that has 

 not yet attained the full-size of the species, measuring 89 mm. from 

 snout to anus and 50 mm. from the latter to the end of main tail. The 

 latter is perfectly normally outhned, straight and gradually attenuated 

 behind, except that it is perceptibly shorter, and near the end somewhat 

 thicker, than in uninjured specimens of similar size. The accessory tail, 

 which presents a very rudimentary appeai-ence, is attached on the right 

 side of the main tail, at a decidedly latero-ventral position about 15 mm. 

 behind the anus. (In fig. 5, which represents a section through the 

 origin of accessory tail, the line xy shows the true horizontal plane of 

 the main tail.) As ol)served in preserved state, it is directed posteriorly 

 )\y the side of the main tail and curved not unlike an ox-horn, which it 

 also resembles in general shape. Its total length measures only 5 mm. 

 and its diameter close to the attachment 1.4 mm., while the main root 

 at the same level is more than twice as thick. The scales of the ac- 

 cessory tail consist, as seen from the ventral side (fig. 2\ of a median 

 ]-ow 14 in number, sided by two lateral rows. Seen from the dorsal 

 side, the scales of the lateral vows just mentioned are seperated at the 

 very root of the accessor}^ tail by a single comparatively large scale 

 which evidently belongs to the main tail, but which seems to have been 

 disturbed out of its proper position on account of the accessory tail. 

 Next to this scale, there follow two consecutive whorls, in which the 

 lateral scales are separated by two rows of small dorsal scales, thus 

 giving 5 scales to a whorl. These are succeeded by two other whorls 

 in which there is but one dorsal scale interposed between the lateral 

 scales. For the rest of the accessory tail, the latter directly meet on 



1 'I'he oase of cloiiMe-tailed Ameiva mentioned by Eyder (Proe. Aoaii. Xai. Sei. 

 Philadflp- 1893.) is tlie only one known to me outside the family Lacertidae. 



