70 Lacertidee. 



head, in the small size, aud in the effaced or reticulate markings, are 

 not unlike the form of A. scutellatus inhabiting the same districts. 



I have, however, decided to follow the lead of Lataste aud to recog- 

 nize a Saharian form, which may be described as an ill-defined variety 

 characterized by a usually more pointed snout, a little longer than the 

 postocular part of the head, the average lower number of scales across 

 the body, the often rather more slender toes, sometimes with stronger 

 pectination," and the fi'equent absence of regular longitudinal series of 

 light spots on the body. 



Habit often rather more slender than in the typical form, and 

 especially than in the var. hedriagfe. Head 4 to 4J times in length to 

 vent in males, 4^ to 4| times in females, 1^^ to l! times as long as 

 broad. Tail \\ to If times the length of head and body. Nasals 

 sometimes rather strongly swollen. Frontonasal sometimes neai"ly 

 as long r),s broad ; frontal usually shorter than its distance from the 

 end of the snout. If to 2\ times as long as broad ; first supraocular 

 more often entire than divided ; one series of granules between the 

 supraoculars and the superciliaries, rarely two; auricular denticulation 

 always well marked, the lobules sometimes long and pointed. Collar 

 sometimes free, more usually attached in the middle. Scales granular 

 or rhombic, convex or flat, usually smooth or feebly keeled, rarely 

 rather strongly keeled, 46 to 65 (usually 50 to 58) across the middle 

 of the body. Ventrals in 12 longitudinal series, rarely 14, and 27 to 

 33 transverse series. 15 to 25 femoral pores on each side. 17 to 28 

 lamellae under the fourth toe. Upper caudal scales usually all strongly 

 keeled ; 18 to 24 scales in the fourth or fifth whorl. 



Coloration usually pale grey or pale buff", rarely with yellow or 

 orange spots on the back, the dark markings usually much effaced or 

 small, or forming a wide-meshed reticulation, sometimes with a ten- 

 dency to cross-bars ; sometimes two series of rather large blackish 

 spots along the back. Young grey, with four white longitudinal streaks 

 on the back (six on the nape) and one on each side, with rows of 

 round white spots between them ; limbs with large round white spots ; 

 tail bluish towards the end. 



Measurements (in millimetres) : 



* Especially in specimens found between W;ir^-lii and El Golea, and between 

 Wed N(,'a and El Alia, in which the lobes of the fringe on the outer side of tlic 

 fourth toe may be nearly as loui;' as the diameter of the toe. 



