Frfiuuts. 345 



Scales coarsely granular aud smootli,* flat or convex, larger and 

 often squarish on the sides, 41 to 55 f aci'oss the middle of the body. 

 Ventral plates in oblique longitudinal series, or tessellated, as long as 

 broad, or a little longer or a little broader, in 30 to 35 slightly angular 

 transverse series, the longest of which contain 16 or 18, rarely 14 or 

 20, plates. Preanal region covered with numerous small, irregular 

 plates, rarely with an enlarged median plate posteriorly. 



Upper surface of arm with smooth, rhombic scales, Avhicli are not or 

 but slightly larger than the lai-gest gulars. Scales on upper surface 

 of til)ia similar to dorsals or a little smaller ; lower surface with 3 or 

 4 series of subequal plates or with one series of large and two of 

 smaller plates. 7 to 14 femoral pores on each side, usually 8 to 12, 

 the series sometimes restricted to the inner half of the thigh, some- 

 times extending along its whole length. + separated from its fellow by a 

 wide interspace. Subdigital lamellae in two unicarinate series, 17 to 25, 

 usually 20 to 22, under the fourth toe. 



Upper caudal scales smooth or feebly keeled, passing gradually into 

 the dorsals, those at the base oblique and obtusely pointed ; basal 

 lower caudal scales smooth ; 26 to 38 scales in the fourth or fifth 

 whorl behind the postanal granules. 



Young greyish above, with white, black-edged ocelli, which may be 

 confluent into transverse bands, rarely into 6 or 8 longitudinal streaks. 

 The ocelli persist in the adult or are replaced by black marblmgs or 

 irregular transverse bands. Some exceptional females show a more 

 primitive pattern, 8 white, black-edged streaks extending along the 

 back and sides, these streaks continuous on the neck, more or less 

 broken up on the body. I have also seen males aud young with ocelli 

 on the back and a white, black-edged lateral streak from the shoulder 

 to the groin, or with 4 white, black-edged streaks on the nape and 

 ocelli forming transverse bars on the body. Dark brown or black 

 spots or large blotches may be present on the head. Lower parts 

 white. 



Bedriaga describes a var. potanini, from Buluu-Tochoi in Dshuugaria, 

 Central Asia, light brown above with two rows of remarkably large 

 oblique dark brown spots ; these spots have a ratlier indistinc-t light 

 edge, or are accompanied by small round light spots ; one or two 

 series of small dark spots along each side. 



* Bedriaga mentions a few specimens in which the scales are obtusely keeled 

 on the posterior part of the back, 

 t 41 to 57 according to Bedriag-a. 

 X Extremes in specimens from Tartavy and Isbes Khan, 



