Lafaslia. 33 



broader than loug aud much l)roader thau the iuternarial space ; 

 frontal as loug as its distance from the end of the snout, li to 2 

 times as long as broad, rounded in front, narrow behind, grooved in 

 its anterior two-thirds ; parietals 1^ to nearly 2 times as long as 

 broad ; interparietal nearly twice as long as broad, twice as long as 

 the occipital, which is a little broader. 4 supraoculars, first and 

 fourth nearly equal in size, if not broken up, the former forming a 

 suture with the frontal, second slightly longer than third ; (3 super- 

 ciliaries, separated from the supraoculars by a complete series of 

 granules. Kostral not entering the nostril ; 2 superposed postnasals ; 

 anterior loreal not half as loug as second ; 6 upper labials anterior to 

 the suliocular, which is much narrower beneath than alcove. Lower 

 eyelid opaque, with vertically enlai-ged scales in the middle. A long 

 aud narrow, keeled upper temporal, in contact with the fourth supra- 

 ocular, followed by two small shields ; temporal scales very small, 

 granular ; a distinct tympanic shield ; three triangular enlarged scales 

 forming a denticulation in front of the ear-opening. 



4 pairs of large chin-shields, followed by a small fifth, first three in 

 contact in the middle. 36 gular scales between the symphysis of the 

 chin-shields and the median collar-plate, granular in front, enlarged 

 aud imbricate towards the collar ; no gular fold. Collar with strongly 

 serrated edge, composed of 14 plates. 



Scales granular on the najae, larger and obtusely keeled on the 

 anterior part of the back, gradually enlarged, rhombic, imbricate and 

 strongly aud diagonally keeled on the posterior part of the back, 

 gradually merging into the caudal scales ; lateral scales smaller, 

 more obtusely keeled ; 45 to 62 scales across the middle of the body, 

 22 or 23 iu a transverse series between the hind limbs. Ventral plates 

 overlapping, with the postero-iuner angle oblicjuely truncate, in 6 or 

 8 longitudinal and 27 transverse series, the plates of the outer series, 

 if present, small ; a central group of 10 small plates on the pectoral 

 region. Preanal plate rather small, twice as broad as long, surrounded 

 by numerous smaller, irregular plates. 



A series of 7 large transverse plates under the forearm. Scales on 

 upper surface of tibia rhomliic, keeled, smaller than largest dorsals. 

 7 to 11 femoral pores on each side, the series confined to the basal half 

 of the thigh. 24 lamellar scales under the fourth toe. 



Caudal scales forming alternately longer and shorter whorls, upper 

 oblique and diagonally and strongly keeled, truncate behind, lower 

 smooth ; 30 scales in the fifth whorl. 



Greyish yellow sand-colour above, with faint markings iu the form 

 of 8 light streaks or series of light spots and a darker lateral band 

 VOL. II. 3 



