68 



Mr. H. AV. Bates on Geodephagous 



rupted longitudinal bands ; a dark streak from the nostril to 

 the eye ; 8 to 10 vertical reddisli-brown streaks along the 

 sides, beginning from in front of the forearm. Young with- 

 out these vertical streaks. 



From Scincus arenarius it differs in the shape of the pre- 

 frontal, which is six-sided instead of heart-shaped ; in having 

 26 instead of 28 rows of scales round the body ; in tlie post- 

 frontals extending behind to only two thirds, or \n some 

 .specimens the entire width of the first superciliary; in 

 having two small postnasals instead of one long one ; also 

 in the first suborbital scale in front of the lower eyelid being 

 as broad at the base as high, and five-sided instead of elongate, 

 and nearly twice its greatest breadth. 



These differences are exhibited in all my specimens, 

 thirteen in number. 



The following Table will exhibit the differences between 

 this and other species. Of S. Hemprichii I have no description. 



IX. — On the Geodephagous Coleoptera collected hy Mr. George 

 Lewis in Ceylon. By H. W. Bates, F.R.S. 



The collection of Coleopterous insects made by Mr. George 

 Lewis during a five months' residence in the island of Ceylon 

 in the cold season of 1881-82, viz. from November 27th to 



* From Blanford's notes in P. Z, S. 1881, p. 677. 



