reptilb:s of the pacific coast. 87 



broad, as also the strongly imbricate superciliaries. 

 Middle subocular very long, narrow, and strongly keeled. 

 Rostral plate much broader than high. Labials long 

 but very low, inferior slightly larger than superior. 

 Symphyseal large and followed by several plates larger 

 than gulars and separated from lower labials by from 

 one to three rows of narrow sublabials. Gular region 

 with scales smooth, flat, bi- or tricuspid, and strongly 

 imbricate, as also belly. Ear-opening large, nearly 

 vertical, and protected by a series of long, accuminate 

 scales. Scales of back in nearly parallel longitudinal 

 rows, equal-sized, with no keels or very obtuse ones, 

 and points which scarcely protrude beyond the serrate 

 posterior outline. Scales of sides pointed obliquely 

 upward and changing gradually from smoother dorsals 

 and smaller smooth ventrals, becoming keeled and 

 strongly pointed. No longitudinal dermal folds. Upper 

 surfaces of limbs provided with strongly keeled and 

 pointed scales. Scales on posterior surface of thigh 

 large, accuminate, strongly keeled and pointed. Upper 

 and lateral caudal scales nearly smooth, but with very 

 long points. Femoral pores varying in number from 

 twelve to sixteen on each thigh. Six to twelve dorsal 

 scales equaling length of shielded part of head. Num- 

 ber of scales in a row from the interparietal plate to a 

 line connecting posterior surfaces of thighs, thirty-one 

 to thirty-seven; average in fifteen specimens, thirty- 

 three and six-tenths. Males with enlarged postanal 

 plates. 



In very young specimens the back is crossed by 

 numerous dark brown bands separated by narrower ones 

 of paler brown. The narrow bands gradually become 

 more or less greenish or bluish and some of the dorsal 

 scales become copper-color with blue centers. In adult 



