17. XANTUSIA 483 



frontonasal and prefrontal plates. A large postnasal in 

 front of first loreal. A series of small plates, upper of 

 which are superciliaries, surrounding eye. Two small 

 plates between this ring and larger loreal. Five superior 

 and four inferior labials to a point below middle of eye. 

 Eye small, without lids, with vertical pupil. Its diameter 

 contained about two and one-half times in distance from 

 end of snout to orbit. Oblique ear-opening with a very 

 weak anterior denticulation. Inferior labials in contact with 

 large sublabials. First pair of latter in contact on median 

 line. Back, sides, upper and posterior surfaces of limbs, 

 and gular regions covered with subhexagonal granules, 

 which are flattened on gular region but convex on back and 

 sides. A series of large plates along edge of last gular 

 fold. Ventrals quadrate, in 12 longitudinal and 32 trans- 

 verse series. Tail conical and covered with whorls of 

 smooth, narrow, and transversely convex scales; its length 

 very variable. Eight or nine femoral pores forming series 

 along each thigh. 



The color above is dark brownish clay, dotted with black 

 on single granules. A pale yellowish line, two granules 

 wide, runs posteriorly from each occipital plate, but is soon 

 lost on the back to reappear over the thigh. The lower 

 surfaces are pale yellowish white. 



Snout to vent 39 



Length of tail 38 



Hind limb 14 



Fore limb 10 



Shielded part of head 8J^ 



Snout to ear 8 



Snout to anterior gular fold 734 



Snout to posterior gular fold 12^ 



Base of fifth to end of fourth toe 4-J^ 



Distributjoji. — Xantusia gilberti was described from a 



