Lizards allied to Lacerta mural is. 253 



I can quite understand a systematist using characters which 

 suffer occasional exceptions, provided they are conscientiously 

 mentioned; but when the exceptions are so frequent and 

 striking as they prove to be in the case of the two groups 

 opposed to each other, the course followed by Prof. v. Mdhely 

 seems to me unjustifiable. 



More astonishing still, if it may be, is the choice of cha- 

 racters by which the key to the species is constructed. This 

 key I have translated literally, only following a different 

 typographic arrangement in order to render it more easily 

 readable : — 



I. Two superposed postnasal (" nasofrenal ") shields. 



A. A series of small shields on the posterior border of the anal. 



Rostral separated from the nostril by a small 



subnasal ; ventral plates in 8 longitudinal 



series L. anatolica, Werner. 



Rostral entering the nostril ; ventral plates in 6 



longitudinal series L. danfordi, Gthr. 



B. No small shields on the posterior border of the anal. 



1. Occipital shield considerably larger than the interparietal. 



L. Icevis, Gray. 



2. Occipital smaller than the interparietal. 



a. Rostral not in contact with the frontonasal (" internasal ") ; 



first supraocular usually in contact with the frontal. 



No masseteric shield , each of the scales of the 



two middle rows of subcaudals somewhat 



broader than the neighbouring ones ...... L. grceca, Bedr. 



Usually a distinct masseteric shield ; each of the 



scales of the two middle rows of subcaudals 



nearly twice as broad as the neighbouring 



ones L. oxycephala, D. & B. 



b. Rostral always in contact with the frontonasal ; first supra- 



ocular not in contact with the frontal. 



L. mosorensis, Koloinb. 



II. A single postnasal. 



A. Rostral always forming a rather long suture with the fronto- 



nasal. 



Collar with straight edge ; upper caudal scales 



truncate behind ; femoral pores forming a 



complete series L. horvatki, Mediely. 



Collar distinctly dentate; upper caudal scales 



pointed behind ; femoral pores forming a 



short series, vanishing outwards L. derjugini, Nik. 



B. Rostral not touching the frontonasal or forming at most a short 



suture with it. 

 1. Usually no masseteric shield ; outer border of parietal shield 

 usually but slightly notched by the first supratemporal ; 

 upper caudal scales keelless L. reticulata, Bedr. 



