On Lizards with Rudimentary Limbs. 145 



XX. — Notes on, and Descriptions of, some Lizards with 

 Rudimentary Limbs in the British Museum. By Dr. 

 Albert Gunther, F.R.S. 



Delma Fraseri. 



I have recently examined the typical specimen of Delma 

 Orayi (Smith, 111. S. Afr. Bept. pi. 76. fig. 2). It is identical 

 with D. Fraseri, and there can be no doubt that it came from 

 Australia, as supposed by Sir A. Smith himself. 



I am also of opinion that Delma Molleri, Liitken (Nat. 

 Foren. Vid. Medd. 1862), is not specifically distinct. The 

 specimen to which this name was given has the supranasal 

 and anterior frontal of each side united into one shield, a 

 peculiarity which I consider to be individual. Confluence of 

 two shields into one is by no means of uncommon occurrence 

 in this lizard ; and the distinctness of the markings on the 

 head is subject to great variation. Ten specimens in the 

 British Museum are from Western Australia. 



Aprasia pulchella. 



All the eight specimens in the British-Museum collection 

 (including the types) have 12 series of scales round the body, 

 and not 14, as found by Prof. Peters (MB. Berl. Ak. 1863, 

 p. 233). With regard to coloration, there is a gradual passage 

 from specimens which show only a few faint rows of brownish 

 dots to such as are ornamented with six or eight longitudinal 

 black bands. Therefore Aprasia octolineata (Ptrs.) cannot be 

 regarded as distinct from A. pulchella (Gray). Some of our 

 specimens are from South, others from West Australia. 



Chelomeles pseudopus. 



Scales round the middle of the body in 22 series ; about 

 104 scales in a longitudinal series between the fore and hind 

 limbs. Four large pra?anal scales. Subcaudals not enlarged. 

 A longitudinal groove runs along each side of the abdomen for 

 a distance of about 24 scales, commencing from the axil of 

 the fore limb. Fore limbs very short, about as long as the 

 snout, with three rudimentary claws ; hind limbs still shorter, 

 undivided. The anterior frontal forms a rather broad suture 

 with the rostral and vertical — this latter being bell-shaped, 

 longer than broad. Four supraciliary shields. A pair of 

 anterior occipitals ; central occipital elongate. Seven upper 

 labials, the third and fourth separated from the orbit by a 

 series of shields which are as large as the labials below them. 

 Mental as broad as the median lower labial. Ear entirely 

 hidden. Coloration uniform. 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser.4. Vol. xii. 10 



