MESALINA. 349 



between the supra-nasal ; the first upper labial, and a shield in front of 

 the loreals. Post-frontals, each about the size of the single prae-frontal, 

 and broadly in contact with each other above its apex. Vertical nearly 

 twice the length of its greatest width, grooved mesially in front, 

 where it is rounded and forms a suture with the post-frontals. Post-occi- 

 pital twice the size of the prjB- occipital; inter-occipital very small, three- 

 sided in front ; three shields above each side of each post-occipital, the 

 middle one trihedral and about six times the length of the small hind 

 one; temporal region covered with granular scales, the upper and 

 smaller series convex, the lower and larger series faintly keeled. An 

 elongate scale placed obliquely in front of the ear above ; ear opening 

 with 2-4 projecting* scales forming a serrated edge. Upper labials 7, 

 the infra-orbital shield resting on the fourth and fifth, orfalling inside the 

 labial margin between them ; lower labials six ; five pairs of chin shields 

 along the edges of the labials, the first three pairs only in contact mesi- 

 ally; scales of the back small, sub-imbricate, semi-oval, obtuse behind 

 and distinctly cariuate, those between the post-occipital and fore limb 

 smaller, granular, and faintly keeled, as also are those between the 

 axils of the fore and hind limbs on the lower part of the back, they 

 gradually increase in size towards the tail, the keel forming continuous 

 lines. Scales on the tail three or four times the length of those on the 

 back, all strongly keeled and arranged in verticels. The number of 

 scales round the middle of the body, not including the ventral plates, is 

 60-53. Ventral plates 10-12. Femoral pores 23-27 on each thigh; 

 pra3-anals larger than the adjoining scales; body and tail elongate ; tail 

 twice the length of the head and body; the fore leg laid forward reaches 

 the end of the snout generally. The hind leg laid forward reaches to 

 the eye, and often to just beyond the ear. Colour, a grey brown on the 

 head, darker on the body, five white lines down the back and an 

 indistinct one on the sides, between the axils of the fore and hind 

 limbs. The three dorsal series coalesce below the hind limbs, and the 

 two laterals on the tail, where they become indistinct. Legs with 

 irregular blotches of white, the dark gi^ound showing a reticulated 

 pattern. 



Length 7'8 inches to 8'12, tail from 4*0 to 4*85. 



Hah. — Sind (Kurrachee) Beloochistan, Persia, Afghanistan. Found 

 consorting usually wtth A. cantoris. Habits similar. 



Mesalina, Gray. 



Nostril on the ridge between three swollen shields, the lower and 

 anterior moderate, hinder upper small, triangular. Collar indistinct, 

 sub-angular, attached in the middle, free on the side. No fold under 

 the ears. Toes five on all feet. Pra3-anal single, with one or two series 

 of small scales round it. Scales of the back rhombic or circular, not 

 imbricate ; of the belly smooth, contracted behind, arranged in oblique 

 rows (longitudinal, Blanford). 



Mesalina Watsonana, Stol. P. A. *S'. B. 1872, p. 86 ; Theoh, Cat. 

 Rept. Brit. Ind. p. 43. M. brevirostris, Blf. Arm. and Mag. Nat. Hist. 

 July 1874, xiv. p. 32. — Watson's Mesalina. 



