310 



S A U R I A. 



The rostral plate is quite low, much longer than deep, incised upon 

 its upper margin, and occasionally entirely subdivided into two labial- 

 like plates. The upper labials, themselves, are from eleven to thirteen 

 on either side, deeper than long, subconvex upon their upper edge, and 

 diminishing gradually in size posteriorly, the last one corresponding to 

 a vertical line drawn within the posterior rim of the orbit. The ante- 

 rior pair is a little lower than the second and third, as though the position 

 of the nostril, immediately above its upper edge, encroached somewhat 

 upon it. The nostril itself is subcircular, directed obliquely backwards 

 and outwards, and, since it rests upon the anterior labial, needless to 

 say that it is lateral. A small, subtrapezoid prenasal, interposes itself 

 between said aperture and the rostral, extending likewise to the inter- 

 nasal space, without, however, coming into contact with its fellow, 

 from which it is separated by a small hexagonal plate. A few, very 

 small, and irregular plates, complete the rim of the nostril superiorly 

 and posteriorly. Upon the fronto-nasal space may be observed small, 

 generally hexagonal plates, extending also laterally to the loral region, 

 forming sometimes a larger series along the canthus rostralis. The 

 eye is subcircular, of moderate size, its pupil being vertical, and the 

 eyelid constituting a complete circular ridge, covered with small gra- 

 nules. The symphj-seal plate is nearly equal to the rostral in size, 

 though deeper and narrower upon its buccal margin. The lower labials 

 are eleven or twelve on either side, shaped like the upper ones, 

 though more developed, deeper than long, and diminishing gradually 

 posteriorly : the anterior pair does not extend iuferiorly beyond the 

 symphyseal, which is not inclosed by them ; the posterior pair corre- 

 sponds to the last upper labial. There are no mental shields, properly 

 so called. A few small, subhexagonal plates may be observed under 

 the chin. The inferior surface of the head is covered with subequal, 

 granular scales ; the upper surface of the head is likewise granular, 

 but the granules are unequal, and coarser than on the body. The 

 sides of the neck appear to be obscurely and irregularly folded, and 

 finely granular all around. The auricular aperture is rather small 

 and subcircular. The surface of the body is protected by subequal 

 granules, subconvex along the dorsal region, and flattened upon the 

 sides. The belly exhibits small, subrhomboid, or angular scales. A 

 double series of femoral pores may be traced along the thighs, merging 

 into an interfemoral group, transversely elongated, but not triangular. 

 The scales perforated by these pores are somewhat larger than the 



