AcantliOiladijluh 



67 



reaches the oral border, but otherwise it is wedged in between the 

 fourth and fifth upper labials or, more frequently, separated from the 

 mouth by a small additional upper labial. The hind limb reaches 

 the shoulder or the collar, rarely a little beyond, in males, the axil in 

 females; fourth toe :} to once the length of the head. Tail IV to 1^ 

 times as long as head and bodv. 



Coloration much as in the typical form, some individuals more like 

 the Egyptians, others more like the Syrians. 



Measurements (in millimetres) : 



Habitat. — The high plateaux of Algeria, in the Provinces Oran, 

 Algiers and Constantine. Apparently confined to the extreme east of 

 the former province. 



I provisionally refer to this variety two male specimens from 

 Tamesmida, Tunisia, perhaps not full-grown, to one of which allusion 

 has been made by Lataste in 1885 (I.e. p. 490). The ventral plates 

 are very small, many not or but little broader than long, in 14 longi- 

 tudinal and 34 or 35 transverse series. The collar is very broadly 

 attached in the middle, distinct only on the sides. The scales are 

 granular and very feebly keeled, 60 to 65 across the middle of the 

 body. One of the specimens has no enlarged preanal, the other has 

 only one, twice as broad as long. First supraocular broken up into 

 two. A small supplementary labial between the fourth and fifth 

 separating the subocular from the mouth. Auricular denticulation 

 moderate or feeble. Hind limb reaching the shoulder ; fifth toe a 

 little shorter than the head. 



The coloration differs from that of any of the specimens referred by 

 Lataste to his var. deserti* It is by no means effaced, but very similar 

 to that of the var. hedriagx. Grrey above, with intensely black spots 

 forming a sort of network, with 8 longitudinal series of round or oval 

 white spots, with others in addition. 



• 



* Which is described further on under the name of var. laiastii. 



