LYGOSOMELLA AESTUOSA. 253 



times invisible, provided anteriorly with very small erect scales, seated 

 rather inwardly, so that on a superficial examination their presence 

 might easily be overlooked. 



The scales which surround the body are rather small, for we count 

 thirty-six longitudinal series of them : six series along the dorsal 

 region, properly so called, ten on either sides, and ten abdominal 

 series. The lateral scales are the smallest ; the abdominal ones the 

 largest. They are subequal over each region, with the exception of the 

 dorsal region, where the two middle series are slightly larger than the 

 adjoining series. The preanal scales are subequal also. On the tail, 

 they are somewhat larger than on the body, and nearly equal all 

 around. 



This species having been sketched from life by the skilful brush of 

 Jos. Drayton, its coloration has thus been preserved for our inspection. 

 The upper regions are of an olivaceous-brown hue, without metallic 

 reflections. A light-brown streak, speckled with black, extends from 

 the eye to a certain distance along the tail, being at the same time 

 margined above and below with black, either in a continuous or in- 

 terrupted line. The dorsal region is speckled with black, and occa- 

 sionally exhibits a median line of the same color. The sides are bluish- 

 grey, speckled with black and white. The limbs and tail above are 

 olive-brown also, and similarly sprinkled over with black. Beneath, 

 the hue is greyish, minutely dotted with black, more so sideways than 

 upon the middle region : the throat more densely so than the abdo- 

 men and tail. 



Loc. Bay of Islands, New Zealand. March, 1840. " Associated 

 with the preceding (Oligosoma zelandicuni) , and also common on the 

 beaches more exposed to the surf." [Pickering.] 



Plate XXVII, fig. 1, represents Lygosamella aestuosa, size of life. 



Fig. 2, is an upper view of the head ; 



Fig. 3, a profile ; and, 



Fig. 4, an under view of the same region. 



Fig. 5, the left hand, from above ; 



Fig. 6, the same hand, from beneath. 



Fig. 7, a group of dorsal scales ; 



Fig. 8, a group of abdominal scales. 



Figs. 2-8, are somewhat magnified. 



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