OREODEIRA GRACILIPES. 421 



protected by tuberculous or subtuberculous, unequal scales, smooth in 

 appearance; they are rather small, generally speaking; the occipi- 

 tal alone is quite developed, irregularly hexagonal, with its transverse 

 diameter somewhat more developed than the longitudinal one. The 

 middle supraocular plates are larger than the surrounding ones ; and, 

 upon the fronto-nasal region, they are the smallest and most irregular 

 in shape ; upon the frontal and interocular regions, they are interme- 

 diate in development between those just alluded to ; upon the tempo- 

 ral and occipital regions, they resemble those of the frontal regions. 

 The rostral plate is very small, subquadrangularly and transversely 

 elongated. The nostrils perforate a tubular plate, directed backwards, 

 and situated upon the extension of the supraciliary ridge itself, and 

 nearer the apex of the muzzle than the anterior rim of the orbit. The 

 upper labials, which increase in size posteriorly, are but very little 

 larger than the adjoining row of supralabials : the second row of the 

 latter is much smaller than the first ; the third is a very exiguous 

 one; all being narrow and long; the differences consisting chiefly 

 in their width. Then follows a series of more conspicuously ridged 

 scales, proceeding from beneath and behind the nostril, and extend- 

 ing to the angle of the mouth. Between the latter row and the 

 inferior rim of the orbit, may be observed several other rows of very 

 small scales. The auricular aperture is subcircular : the tympanum, 

 which is situated near the surface, exhibits a fold somewhat oblique 

 from upwards, downwards, and forwards. The symphyseal plate is 

 large, subtriangular, posteriorly acute. The inferior labials are largest 

 anteriorly, gradually diminishing towards the angle of the mouth. 

 Under the head, the scales are very small, obsoletely carinated : a few 

 series, lining the labials, being somewhat more conspicuous than the 

 rest ; under the throat, they are very minute, where two folds of the 

 skin are, moreover, observed : the posterior one regularly transverse ; 

 the anterior one broadly V-shaped. The neck itself is rather con- 

 tracted, covered with small scales, with a few small eminences on 

 each side, over which the scales stand more or less erect. From the 

 neck forwards, the imbrication is reversed, so that the free edge of the 

 scales and plates is the anterior edge. A small crest, composed of 

 equal, compressed, erect, and lanceolated scales, is to be seen, extend- 

 ing from the occiput to the origin of the trunk. 



The body is depressed, broader than deep, covered above with mode- 

 rate, subequal, subrhombic, carinated scales, disposed upon series at 



106 



