Holasph. 377 



Hue along the side of tlie tail ; lower parts white. lu the specimens 

 examined bv Werner there are black spots on the sides of the tail. 

 which may extend to the upper surface to form cross-bars. 



Total length 112 millim., in which the head enters for 17, and 

 the tail for 57 ; fore limb 21, hind limb 42. 



Habitat. — The unique type is from Rio Croco, coast of Mossamedes. 

 Werner has since recorded several specimens from Walfish Bay, 

 Damaraland . 



The above account is compiled from Boeage's description and 

 figure. 



22. HOLASPIS. 



Holaspis (A. Smith), Gray, Proe. Zool. Soe. 1863, p. 152; Lataste, 

 Ann. Mus. Geuova (2) ii, 1885, p. 126 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 118 

 (1887). 



No frontoparietals, tlu'ongli fusion witli tlie inter- 

 parietal, which forms a large shield in contact with the 

 frontal and the occipital. Nostril pierced between two 

 nasals, narrowly separated from the first upper ]a])ial. 

 Lower eyelid scaly, with 3 to 5 enlarged, semitransparent 

 scales in the middle. Collar well marked. Two series of 

 large, smooth, transverse plates along the nape, back and 

 tail ; lateral scales small ; ventral plates not imbricate, 

 smooth. Fingers nearly cylindrical ; toes depressed and 

 serrated laterally in their basal half, the distal half feebly 

 compressed and forming an angle ; snbdigital lamelhB 

 smooth. Femoral pores. Tail much depressed and 

 serrated laterally. 



Tropical Africa. 



Parietal foramen and pterygoid teeth absent. 



Holasjjis is a highly specialized form, occupying an isolated position 

 in the family Lacertidae. It is probably derived from less aberrant 

 forms connected with PJilIochortus, whicli 1 regard as its nearest though 

 very remote living relative. 



1. HOLASPIS GUENTHEEI. 



Holaspis guentheri (A. Smith), Gray, t.c. p. 153, pi. xx, fig. 1 ; 

 F. Mull. Verli. Naturf. Ges. Basel, vii, 1885, p. 702 ; Bouleng. i.e.; 



