JAPALUBA. 129 



137. Acanthosaura tricarinata. 



Calotes tricarinatus, Bhjth, J. A. S. B. xxii, 1854, p. 650. 

 Tiaris elliotti, Giinth. P.Z. S. 1860, p. 151, pi. xxv, fig. B. 

 Oriotiaris elliotti, Giinth. Rept. B. I. p. 150. 

 Charasia tricarinata, Theob. Cat. p. 114. 

 Acanthosaura tricarinata, Boukny. Cat. Liz. i, p. 306. 



Snout slightly longer than diameter of orbit ; canthus rostralis 

 and supraciliary edge angular ; tympanum nearly as large as eye- 

 opening; upper head-scales unequal, feebly keeled, a series of 

 larger ones bordering the supraorbital region inside ; a conical 

 tubercle behind the supraciliary edge ; an oblique transverse row 

 of conical ribbed tubercles on each side, bordering the head behind ; 

 5 or 6 upper and as many lower labials ; gular scales smaller than 

 ventrals, indistinctly keeled ; a conical tubercle below the tym- 

 panum. Oblique fold in front of the shoulder very indistinct. 

 Body not, or but very slightly, compressed. Nuchal and dorsal 

 crests continuous, reduced to a series of enlarged strongly keeled 

 scales ; another parallel series of enlarged scales on each side of 

 the nape, lost a short distance beyond the shoulder. Dorsal scales 

 very irregular, scarcely imbricate, smooth or feebly keeled; strongly 

 enlarged keeled scales are scattered on the flanks, and frequently 

 others form angular series across the back ; ventral scales as large 

 as the enlarged dorsals, feebly keeled. Limbs above with unequal 

 strongly keeled scales ; fourth finger longer than third ; the ad- 

 pressed hind limb reaches the eye or the tip of the snout. Tail 

 not compressed, twice to twice and a half as long as head and body, 

 covered with rather unequal keeled scales. Brownish grey or blue 

 above, uniform or with angular brown markings on the back ; 

 lateral nuchal clenticulation brown-edged ; lower surfaces uniform 

 whitish or with small black dots. 



From snout to vent 2 inches ; tail 4*25. 



Hob. Sikkim, up to 9200 feet. 



Genus JAPALURA, 

 Gray, A. M. N. H. (2) xii, 1853, p. 387. 



Tympanum hidden. Dorsal scales heterogeneous. A dorsal 

 crest. Gular pouch small or absent. An oblique fold in front 

 of the shoulder ; gular fold present or absent. Tail feebly com- 

 pressed. No prseanal or femoral pores. 



Distribution. East Indies ; Southern China. 



Of the 6 known species, one occurs in the Himalayas and 

 Eastern Bengal, and another in the Khasi Hills. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



Body compressed J. varieyata, p. 130. 



Body subquadi angular ; back nearly flat J. plamdorsata, p. 130. 



