Acanthodadylus. 59 



upper temporal, sometimes followed by a smaller one ; temporal scales 

 granular, smooth or obtusely keeled, upper very small, lower large; 

 a narrow tympanic shield ; no auricular denticulation. 



5 pairs of chin-shields, the o first in contact in the middle ; 2o to 

 80 gular scales in a straight line between the symphysis of the 

 chin-shields and the median collar-plate, juxtaposed in front, 

 gradually enlarged and imbricate towards the collar ; gular fold 

 distinct. Collar free, curved, composed of 8 or 9, I'arely 10 or 11, 

 large plates. 



Scales granular on the nape, rhoml)ic and flat on the back, a little 

 larger and imbricate posteriorly, all strongly keeled, the keels forming- 

 oblique lines towards the spine; scales much larger and smooth 

 towards the ventrals ; 52 to 60 scales across the middle of the body. 

 Ventral plates in straight longitudinal and transverse series, all except 

 the outermost much broader than long, the largest twice as broad 

 as long ; the series across the middle of the body composed of 10, 

 rarelj' 12, plates ; 28 to 31 transverse series in males, 30 to 33 in 

 females. 3 or 4 unpaired preanal plates, the one in front of the vent 

 large and usually much lu'oader than long.* 



20 to 25 femoral pores on each side,t the two series meeting in 

 the middle. Digits with 3 series of scales, rather strongly denticulate, 

 the fringe much stronger on the outer side of the fourth toe, but 

 shorter than the diameter of the toe; 19 to 22 unicarinate lamellae 

 under the fourth toe. 



Upper caudal scales very obli(j[ue and very strongly and diagonally 

 keeled, those at the base as long as broad or a little l)roader than 

 long ; one or two series of small scales on the median line of the basal 

 part of the tail; basal subcaudals smooth or faintly keeled; 22 to 

 26 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. 



Young dark grey, with 6 white longitudinal streaks on the nape 

 and 4 on the body ; a white streak from the ear to the thigh, and 

 a series of round white spots above it ; the space between each pair 

 of dorsal streaks blackish, with a series of whitish spots ; limbs wath 

 round white spots. Tail blue, entirely or towards the end. 



The markings of the young sometimes persist in the adult, but 

 as a rule they liecome effaced or replaced by dark and light spots 

 forming a reticulation ; the ground colour of the upper parts varies 

 from grey to rufous ; the series of lateral spots of the young, if 

 present, are yellow or blue. Lower parts white, sometimes washed 

 with bluish. 



* Longitudinally divided into two in one si^ecinien. 

 t 19 to 28 accordiui;' to Donniergue. 



