ETJLAEMUS TENUIS. 



359 



perly so called, vary as regards both size and number, being smallest 

 when most numerous. In the specimen figured, there are three 

 pairs of frontals, one pair of postoccipitals, an odd occipital, a vertex 

 plate, and an odd frontal, which are somewhat larger than the rest, 

 and nearly equal-sized. An inner series of supraoculars may be 

 noticed as the next in size, separated from the vertex plate and the 

 occipitals by a concentric series of smaller plates. There is but one, 

 rather small, nasal, in the midst of which the nostril opens, leaving 

 but a narrow rim. The loral region is occupied by several small 

 plates. The anterior suborbitals are more developed than the poste- 

 rior one, all of which being provided with a keel along their inner 

 margin. The supraciliary ridge is composed of about six elongated, 

 narrow, and obliquely superposed plates. The eyelids are covered 

 with very small plates, the marginal series being somewhat more 

 developed than the rest, except upon the periphery. The rostral is 

 transversely elongated and very low. The upper labials are very 

 much elongated and narrow, six or seven in number, increasing in 

 length from the first to the fourth inclusive, diminishing again con- 

 siderably backwards. The supralabials have the same general appear- 

 ance as the labials, save in being somewhat smaller. Occasionally, 

 two or more minute plates may be observed upon the loral region, 

 between the loral plates proper and the supralabials. The temporal 

 scales are of moderate size, and nearly equal to the postoccipitals; 

 they are irregularly rounded, slightly imbricated, and provided either 

 with a rudimentary tubercle or an obsolete keel. The symphyseal is 

 larger than the rostral, and especially broader upon its middle region. 

 The lower labials, five or six in number, are broader than the upper, 

 more conspicuous therefore, and diminishing gradually backwards. 

 There are four or five pairs of mental shields : the anterior pair being 

 the largest, and contiguous upon their inner margin, whilst the other 

 pairs diverge, and diminish gradually in size backwards. Between the 

 mental shields and lower labial plates there exists a complete series, and 

 part of a second, of small infralabials. The chin, the throat, the belly, 

 the preanal region, thighs, and legs, are covered with smooth, poste- 

 riorly obtuse, and mostly entire scales, of moderate development, 

 somewhat smaller on the chin, and larger under the hind limbs ; a 

 few on the sides of the belly exhibiting a small notch posteriorly. 

 The sides of the neck, the insertion of the limbs, the inferior surface 

 of the forearm, and the posterior surface of the thighs, are granular. 



