OPHIOPS. 175 



several very small shields or granules. Lateral scales distinctly 

 smaller than dorsals ; 28 to 32 scales round the body. Femoral 

 pores 8 to 13. Coloration as in 0. jerdonii, but the upper lateral 

 light streak frequently absent. 



Hab. Wynaad (5000 feet), S. Canara, Khaudala near Bombay. 



196. Ophiops elegans. 



Ophiops elegans, Menttr. Cat. Rais. p. 63 ; Blanf. Zool E. Pers. 



p. 367 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 75. 

 Gymnops meizolepis, Stoliczka, P. A. S. B. 1872. p. 124. 

 Ophiops meizolepis, Blanf. I. c. p. 3G9, pi. xxv, fig. 2 ; Theob. Cat. 



p. 47. 



Head moderate, feebly depressed. Upper head-shields smooth 

 or slightly rugose ; nostril lateral, pierced between an upper and 

 a lower nasal, and followed by one or two postnasals; frontonasal 

 single ; four supraoculars, first and fourth very small, the two 

 principal separated from the supraciliaries by a series of granules : 

 occipital small, in contact with or separated from the interparietal ; 

 subocular bordering the lip, normally between the fourth and fifth 

 upper labials ; temporal scales small, smooth ; usually two large 

 supratemporal shields bordering the parietal ; a large tympanic 

 shield. A gular fold may be distinguishable ; collar absent or 

 feebly marked. Dorsal scales variable in size, as large as or larger 

 than the laterals ; 30 to 40 scales round the middle of the body, 

 ventrals included. A more or less enlarged postero-mediau 

 praeanal plate. The hind limb reaches about the ear in the male, 

 the shoulder or a little beyond in the female. 7 to 12 (usually 

 9 to 11) femoral pores on each side. Tail about twice as long as 

 head and body. Olive or bronzy above, with black spots usually 

 forming longitudinal series, sometimes forming a network ; fre- 

 quently one or two light longitudinal streaks on each side; lower 

 surfaces white. 



From snout to vent 2 inches ; tail 4. 



Hab. Turkey, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Syria, Persia, Punjab. 



197. Ophiops microlepis. 



Ophiops microlepis, Blanf. J. A. S. B. xxxix, 1870, p. 351, pi. xv, 

 figs. 1-5 ; Theob. Cat.?. 46; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 77. 



Head much depressed; snout long; loreal region concave; 

 upper labials projecting, angular. Upper head-shields smooth ; 

 nostril latero-superior, pierced between an upper and a lower nasal ; 

 a small postnasal wedged in between the two nasals ; these three 

 shields more or less distinctly swollen ; frontonasal single ; prae- 

 frontals obtusely keeled; frontal much narrowed posteriorly, 

 grooved longitudinally ; four supraoculars, first and fourth smallest, 

 the two principal separated from the supraciliaries by a series of 

 granules; occipital small, broader than the interparietal, with 



