Lncerta. 257 



end of thesuout ; parietal I. I to 1| times as long as broad, in contact 

 with the upper postocular ; occipital usually shorter, but often broader 

 than the interparietal* ; series of trranules between the supraoculars 

 and the superciliaries usually incomplete ; suture between the first and 

 second superciliaries usually oblique, rarely vertical ; 4 upper labialsf 

 anterior to the sulux'ular, which is much narrower beneath than above ; 

 temporal scales tfranular, usually not larger than the dorsals, some- 

 times even smaller ; upper tem[)oral shields usually broken up into 

 scales ; masseteric shield sometimes moderately larii-e, usually very 

 small or absent. 



25 to 36 gular scales between the symphysis of the chin-shields 

 and the median collar-plate ; gular fold distinct. Collar even- 

 edged, composed of 9 to 12 plates (rarely 8 or 14), which are usually 

 very small. 



Scales granular, round or oval-sul)hexagonal, smooth or faintly 

 keeled, 51 to 65 across the middle of the body, usually 56 to 62 ; 

 42 to 56 transverse series, in the middle of the back, correspond to the 

 length of the head, 3 or 4 on th(> side to a ventral plate. Ventral 

 plates in 23 to 28 transverse series in males, 27 to 32 in females. J 

 Preanal shield moderately large, or rather small. 



15 to 22 femoral pores on each side, usually 16 to 19; 21 to 27 

 lamellar scales under the fourth toe, usually 22 to 25. 



Caudal scales very oblique, forming alternately longer and shorter 

 whorls, upper feebly or faintly keeled, rarely smooth, truncate or very 

 obtusely pointed behind ; 28 to 36 scales in the fourth or tifth whorl 

 behind the postanal granules. 



In their markings the young are quite similar to those of the typical 

 form from France, and a black vertebral streak is likewise often present. 

 The adults are pale grey or brown above, and the blackish spots, if 

 present, are small ; a median series of black spots or a more or less 

 distinct black vertebral line are often present as well as another on the 

 inner side of the light dorsolateral streak ; a dark brown or dark grey 

 lateral band, sometimes edged with white above or above and below ; 

 upper surface of head uniform or with dark dots. Ventral spots are 

 absent or small and confined to the sides ; one male specimen from 

 Valencia is exceptional in having the lower parts dotted all over with 

 black. 



* Twice as broad in one specimen from Valencia and in one from Foyos ; 

 longer than the interparietal in a specimen from Cadix. 



t 5 on one side in one specimen from Valencia, in one from Foyos and in one 

 from Seville. 



+ 8 longitudinal series in one specimen from Valencia. 



17 



