37 
25. The parenthetical expression is Linnaeus’s. 
26. Typographical error. The name should be scincus, which was what Gronovius used in 1754. 
Linnaeus repeated this error in the 12th ed. of the Systema., but Gmelin's version in the 13th 
ed. shows scincus. 
27. Not "Rocky Arabia" as in the translation of the 13th ed. of Syst. Nat. by Wm. Turton, but rather 
the area of Arabia surrounding Petra. The term is an ancient one. 
28. The fact is from Pliny, Historiae Naturalis. 8.38.91 f who specified it as a male aphrodisiac. 
29. Linnaeus abandons his more usual "palma" for forefeet here in favor of "manus", "hand.” 
30. "U” and "V " are often used interchangeably in Latin. In this case Linnaeus clearly wanted to 
use "V”. See further discussion under Lacerta igvana in the list of current names appended. 
31. This and following names reflect variations on "Igvana." 
32. "Striatum" could mean keeled or striped, but the abdominal scales of this species are not 
actually keeled, nor is the pattern striped. Perhaps some wrinkling due to preservation gave the 
appearance of striations, hence this choice of interpretation. 
33. Here we interpret that "striatus" means keeled, but we must wonder if Linnaeus perhaps 
meant "striped" in reference to the crossbands of the dorsum. 
34. Grammatically, either the eyebrows or the scar (a raised superciliary area) can be what is 
divided. But the term "transversely" in the description appears to be inaccurate and certainly a 
single furrow could not divide something into three parts. Dr. George Zug has examined Plica 
plica and Plica umbra for us and states,"The upper eyelid and brow ridge are large and in 
preservation folded, likely because of size. Brow consists of 2-3 rows of large superciliary scales 
forming a distinct ledge. The eyelid is covered with numerous small scales and usually bears 
longitudinal folds (probably due to tissue contraction and sinking of eyeball during preservation 
hardening). The first furrow (longitudinal [anter-posterior axis] inpocketing) lies immediately 
beneath the brow ridge internal/ventral juncture with the eyelid; the second furrow extends along 
the middle of the eyelid. The two furrows form thus three folds". 
35. Here "striatus" clearly means striped because that is the color pattern of this lizard. 
36. He probably meant Guiana. The species herein described is Cnemidophorus lemniscatus, 
a South American lizard. 
37. In ancient Greek writings Seps was a venomous serpent, but also the term came to be applied 
to the serpentiform lizards that we know as Chalcides. The term chalcidian could be interpreted as 
the term applied to chalcid wasps, but in this case Linnaeus probably refers to Chalcis, a city on 
the Greek island of Euboia. 
38. The use of "v" instead of "u” in this name raises a question of Linnaeus's intent. Compare to 
Igvana as discussed in endnotes 28, 29. In this case we interpret that the "v" is intended as a "u" 
because "angvina" has no meaning, whereas "anguina" is derived from the Latin "anguis" for 
snake, and most certainly this species is snakelike in appearance. 
