BHPTILES. 



403 



MOCOA NOVAE./E. 



Euprepes novane, Sleindachner, Novara, pi. 47, tab. 2, fig. 4. 



Prsefrontal shield single, in contact with the rostral as well as 

 witli the parietal. Five occipitals, of which the central is nearly 

 as large as one of the anterior. Ear-opening without any denti- 

 culation. The middle of the body is surrounded by 28 longi- 

 tudinal series of perfectly smooth scales ; eight series are dorsal 

 and conspicuously larger than the others, especially the two 

 central series. There are 37 scales in a longitudinal series 

 between the axils of the fore and hind limbs. The two middle 

 praeanal scales large. The fore leg reaches to the front margin of 

 the eye, if stretched forwards, and the hind leg covers about two- 

 thirds of its distance from the fore leg. The third and fourth 

 fingers conspicuously longer than the second and fifth ; fourth toe 

 only one-fourth longer than the third. Upper jjarts brownish- 

 olive ; a light band along the median line of the back : it com- 

 mences from a white spot in the middle of the neck. Both the 

 spot and band have an irregular broad black margin. Sides of 

 the body and tail marbled with black, these markings forming an 

 irregular broad band. Lower parts uniform white. 



The British Museum possesses an example found on the Fiji 

 Islands by the Naturalist of H.M.S. Herald ; and Mr. Brenchley 

 has brought three other examples from Tongatabu. Three other 

 examples from the Samoan Group were presented by the Eev. T. 

 Powell. It occurs also in Otaheiti. 



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