12. SCELOPORUS 331 



labials by from one to three rows of narrow sublabials. 

 Gular region with scales smooth, flat, bicuspid, and strongly 

 imbricate, as also belly. Ear-opening large, nearly vertical, 

 and protected by a series of very long acuminate scales. Back 

 with equal-sized, rather weakly keeled, but strongly pointed, 

 scales arranged in nearly parallel longitudinal rows. Scales 

 of sides pointed obliquely upward, and changing gradually 

 from carinate dorsals to smaller smooth ventrals. No 

 longitudinal dermal folds. Upper surfaces of limbs provided 

 with strongly keeled and pointed scales. Scales on posterior 

 surface of thigh large, acuminate, strongly keeled and 

 pointed. Upper caudal scales similar to dorsals, but having 

 longer points. Femoral pores varying in number from 1 1 

 to 16 on each thigh, and averaging, 12.61. Five to 10 dor- 

 sal scales equaling length of shielded part of head. Num- 

 ber of scales in a row from interparietal plate to a line con- 

 necting posterior surfaces of thighs varying from 29 to 35 j 

 average in 30 specimens, 31.2. Males with enlarged postanal 

 plates. 



The back is gray, yellow, brown, olive, or copper color. 

 In adult males this ground color is without any very distinct 

 markings or with a very broad (four or five scales), longi- 

 tudinal, dark brown band along the neck and anterior half 

 of the body. Occasionally, this brown dorsal band is con- 

 tinued to the tail. There is no mid-dorsal longitudinal 

 light streak, but the dorso-lateral scales may appear as a 

 stripe lighter than the lateral and mid-dorsal regions. The 

 sides are variously marbled with blue, gray, olive, yellow, 

 orange, and dark brown, without any tendency to form dark 

 lines parallel to keels of the scales. There is a large black 

 blotch or collar in front of the shoulder, and sometimes a 

 black or brown blotch in front of the thigh. The head is 

 brown or yellowish olive above, usually more or less clouded 

 above with dark brown or with faint indications of dark 



