Acanthodact ijlus. 99 



several small shields and granules; fourth small, if distinot, often 

 separated from third by granules ; second and third supraoculars 

 separated by one or, rarely, two series of granules from the 

 superciliaries, which are G or 7, rarely 5, in number, the first longest 

 and usually in contact with the whole outer })order of the first 

 supraocular. Anterior loreal much shoi'ter than second ; 5 upper 

 labials, rarely 4 or G, to below the centre of the eye ; subocular 

 sharply keeled below the eye, lower border rounded or very openly 

 angular, resting on the fourth, fifth and sixth (rarely fourth and 

 fifth, fifth to seventh, or fourth to seventh) upper labials. Two 

 large upper temporals (rarely one), first the longer ; temporal scales 

 granular, convex or obtusely keeled, upper minute, lower much larger ; 

 a small tympanic shield I'arely present ; 3 to 5 rounded or obtusely 

 pointed lobules usually forming a denticulatiou in front of the 

 tympanum. 



5 pairs of chin-shields, the first three in contact in the middle. 

 25 to 41 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 

 usually present, sometimes very indistinct. Collar free, curved, 

 composed of 8 to 13 plates. 



Dorsal scales granular or subrhomboidal, usually feebly keeled, 

 sometimes smooth or flat and rather strongly keeled, scarcely 

 enlarged on the posterior part of the back, 60 to 80, usually 65 to 75, 

 across the middle of the body * ; the scales minutely granular on 

 the upper part of the sides, enlarged on the lower part and passing 

 gradually into the ventral plates. Ventral plates mostly as long as 

 broad, but some a little broader than long or a little longer than 

 broad, forming irregular longitudinal and angular transverse series ; 

 14, rarely 16. very rarely 12, plates in a transverse series in the 

 middle of the body ; 27 to 36 transverse series. Preanal region often 

 covered with small irregular plates, sometimes with an enlarged 

 median plate in front of the vent. 



15 to 27 femoral pores on each side, the two series usually meeting 

 in the middle. Fingers with 4 series of scales, the series on each side 

 forming the feeble denticulatiou ; toes with only 3 series of scales, the 

 serration on the outer side much stronger than that on the inner, very 

 strong on the fourth toe, where the lobes of the fringe at least equal, 

 and usually exceed, the diameter of the toe ; 21 to 26 unicarinate, less 

 frequently feebly tri- or quinquecarinate, lamellae under the fourth toe. 



* Anderson usually gives higher numbers which is due to his having counted 

 higher up than the middle of the body. 



