DISCODACTYLUS PHACOPHORUS. 3Q1 



one or two granules, occasionally a little larger than the rest. The 

 rostral plate is but moderately developed, somewhat longer than deep, 

 superiorly convex, and incised upon its middle, which corresponds to 

 the depression of the cephalic region at large. Nine upper labial 

 plates may be observed on either side, longer than deep, subquadran- 

 gular in shape, diminishing gradually to the sixth : the three last 

 being quite diminutive. The symphyseal plate is larger than the 

 rostral, prolonged beneath the chin, beyond the first pair of labials, 

 and therefore not inclosed by the latter ; it is either pentagonal or 

 hexagonal, under the general shape of an acute triangle whose summit 

 is directed backwards. The lower labials are seven on either side : 

 the three anterior considerably larger than the rest ; all diminishing 

 in size posteriorly; the anterior two pairs being deeper than long ; the 

 rest, longer than deep. Two small, angular, mental shields, may be 

 observed, one on each side of the symphyseal, contiguous to the labials ; 

 there may be an odd small plate connecting the two, in contact with 

 the apex of the symphyseal. Lining the labials and mental shields, 

 are some very small plates irregularly arranged, whilst the rest of the 

 inferior surface of the head is covered with minute granular scales. 

 The eyes are subcircular and well developed, with a vertical pupil. 

 The auricular apertures are very small, and vertically elliptical. 



The surface of the neck and body is minutely granular, with twelve 

 longitudinal series of small, subtriangular, depressed, and carinated 

 tubercles, extending from the occiput to the base of the tail. The 

 chest and abdomen are protected by subelliptical, smooth scales, of 

 moderate development, arranged upon regular series, and scarcely 

 larger upon the interfemoral region, which exhibits no pores at all. 



The limbs are quite slender, though proportionally long ; they are 

 covered with small, somewhat irregular scales to the very extremity 

 of the fingers and toes, except on the posterior aspect of the arms, 

 thighs, over the palms and soles, which are granular. The inferior sur- 

 face of the fingers and toes is provided with a series of small, tuber- 

 cular plates, either circular or transversely elliptical ; at their dilated 

 extremity are two thin, dilated, longitudinally subelliptical plates, be- 

 tween which is a notch or groove, where a minute and inconspicuous 

 nail is inserted. The tail is conical, slender, simple, and tapering into 

 a point, protected by small, subrhomboid, conspicuously carinated, 

 and verticillated scales: the keel stretching beyond their posterior 



margin. 



76 



