176 



which it is usually in contact ; subocular bordering the lip, between 

 the fourth and fifth upper labials; temporal scales small, obtusely 

 keeled ; two large supratemporals bordering the parietal ; tympanic 

 shield very large, opercle-like. No gular fold ; collar usually dis- 

 tinguishable. Dorsal scales small, as large as laterals or slightly 

 larger ; 52 to 64 scales round the middle of the body, ventrals in- 

 cluded. Ventrals in 6 longitudinal series. A large postero-median 

 prseanal plate. The hind limb reaches the ear, or between the 

 latter and the eye. 13 to 16 femoral pores on each side. Tail 

 about twice as long as head and body ; caudal scales very large. 

 Brown or greyish above, with small black spots which may form a 

 network on the sides ; usually one or two pale longitudinal streaks 

 on each side ; lower surfaces white. 



From snout to vent 2-5 inches ; tail 5-5. 



Hab. Northern India : Cutch ; Kurhurbaree (Bengal) ; Bilaspur. 



Genus EREMIAS, 

 Wiegmann, Herp. Mex. p. 9, 1834. 



Head-shields normal ; occipital often absent. Nostril pierced 

 between three or four nasals. Lower eyelid scaly, or with a small 

 transparent disk. Collar more or less distinct. Dorsal scales 

 small, juxtaposed or imbricate ; ventral shields feebly imbricate, 

 smooth. Digits subcylindrical or compressed, with keeled lamellae 

 beneath. Femoral pores. Tail cylindrical. 



Of this essentially African and Central Asian genus, of which 

 25 species are known, only a few representatives occur in the 

 North-western area of our fauna. 



Synopsis of Indian Species. 



A. Ventral plates in straight longitudinal 



series ; lower nasal resting on first labial 

 only. 



a. Ventral plates in 10 longitudinal series; 



occipital in contact with interparietal . . E. yuttulata, p. 177. 



b. Ventral plates in 12 longitudinal series ; 



occipital separated from interparietal . . E. brevirostris, p. 177. 



B. Ventral plates forming oblique longitudinal 



series ; lower nasal resting on the two or 

 three anterior labials ; no occipital. 



a. Length of foot in adult less than distance 



between collar-fold and nostril ; 50 to 65 

 scales (counting from ventrals) across 

 middle of body E. velox, p. 178. 



b. Length of foot equals distance between 



collar-fold and nostril or end of snout ; 



45 to 50 scales across middle of body . . E.fasciata, p. 179. 



