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S A U R I A. 



orbital ridge is composed of an anterior small plate, of a second, long 

 . and curvilinear, occupying most of the region beneath the eye ; then 

 come two very small plates, which end the series, nearly opposite the 

 posterior edge of the orbit. Upon the surface and on the edge of the 

 eyelids, the plates assume a granular aspect. The auricular apertures 

 are large and subtriangular: their anterior margin being provided with 

 projecting and slender scales, which give to it a denticulated or ser- 

 rated appearance. The inferior surface of the head is covered with 

 small, subequal, elliptical, and smooth scales. The lower labials 

 are somewhat larger than the upper, otherwise similar in form and 

 disposition. The symphyseal is subtriangular or subpentagonal, 

 deeper, though a good deal shorter, than the rostral. The mental 

 shields are numerous and well developed, constituting two diverging 

 series, one under the branch of each jaw ; they diminish in size back- 

 wards. Between the lower labials and mental shields, may be observed 

 one or more series of infralabials. Upon the transverse folds of the 

 neck, the scales are granular, whilst upon the angular pectoral fold, 

 they are flat, subrhombic, resembling those of the abdominal region. 



The body is elongated, somewhat depressed, and rounded. Two 

 longitudinal folds of the skin may be seen on each side : the upper- 

 most extending from the auricular aperture to the base of the tail ; 

 the lower one, from the axilla to the groin. The upper surface and 

 sides of the neck, the lateral regions of the body, and the posterior 

 surface of the arms and thighs, are covered with crowded granular 

 scales. Upon the dorsal region, properly so called, there is a longi- 

 tudinal area, where the scales, though very small, are flattened, sub- 

 circular or subrhombic, slightly or conspicuously carinated, disposed 

 on each side of the dorsal crest, itself composed of small, convex, sub- 

 equal, and carinated scales, extending from the nape to the anterior 

 third of the tail, smaller on the nape, and gradually increasing poste- 

 riorly. The abdominal scales are subequal and smooth, larger on the 

 middle region than on the sides, towards which they gradually 

 diminish; they are subrhombic anteriorly, and subcircular posteriorly, 

 disposed upon transverse series. 



The anterior limbs are rather small and slender ; when stretched 

 alongside the body and bent backwards, the extremities of the fingers 

 hardly reach the groins. The posterior limbs are more developed, and, 

 when brought forwards, the extremity of the longest toe may reach the 

 orbit ; their upper surface is covered with subrhombic and carinated 



