262 Lacertichv. 



which does not exceetl its length. There are, however, exceptions. In 

 tlie Algerian Sahara* we find specimens in which the palpebral tlisc 

 is nearly as perfectly transpai'ent as in the typical form and composed 

 of one large scale above and in front, with two smaller scales below it, 

 or with two large scales above, and in which the snout is more 

 pointed and slightly longer. These specimens are, however, readily 

 distinguished from the typical form, which occurs also in the same 

 districts, in the absence of a black line bordering the larger transparent 

 palpebral scales. Further, there are specimens, from Sind, with two 

 large transparent jjalpebral scales, less distinctly black-edged, which 

 cannot be separated from the typical form, with which I have united 

 them, and yet come very close to the Saharian specimens mentioned 

 above ; these lizards, from the Sahara and Sind, demonstrate the 

 complete passage between the two extreme forms which have often 

 lieen held to be specifically distinct. 



The number of scales across the body (35 to 50, usually 40 to 47) 

 and of femoral pores (9 to 15, usually 10 to 14) is practically the 

 same as in the typical form. 27 to 36 transverse series of ventral 

 plates. 16 to 22 lamellae under the fourth toe. 



The nasals are rather strongly swollen ; the frontonasal is alwa\'s 

 broader than longt ; the frontal is usually as long as its distance 

 from the end of the snout ; the occipital is, as a rule, larger than in 

 the typical form, sometimes broader than the iuterjjarietal, but also 

 very variable in size ; anterior loreal often less than twice as long as 

 deep, and usually shorter than the second. The preanal plate is 

 usually smaller than in the typical form, always bordered by two or 

 three semicircles of smaller shields, and scarcely enlarged in some 

 females. Some specimens;!; have shorter hind limbs, reaching 

 onlv the axil or the shoulder in males, the wrist or the elbow in 

 females. 



Coloration much as in the typical form, but striation predominates, 

 and is often accompanied by regular longitudinal series of ocellar 

 spots. Body sometimes reddish brown, with five grey longitudinal 

 streaks ; or pale sand-colour with a broad grey vertebral band edged 

 with blackish and with two white streaks on each side ; or grey 

 with a dark brown vertebi-al baud bordered by a series of small 

 black spots. One specimeii§ without striation but ocellated all over 

 the back and hind limbs. 



* Tuggurt, El Golea-Fort Miribel. 

 t In contact with the frontal in a female from Zarzis. 

 X From Morocco, Orau, Algerian Saliara. Tunisia. 

 § From N'Gaous. 



