88 3. IGUANIDJE 



large, almost vertical, with strong anterior denticulation of 

 spinose scales. A strong fold on each side of neck, bearing 

 numerous spinose tubercles. Scales on back and sides small, 

 largest medially and on strong lateral fold, smooth and 

 juxtaposed except laterally, becoming there keeled and 

 slightly imbricate. Dorsals varying from 27 to 37 and 

 averaging 32 'to a head-length. Ventral scales smooth, 

 smaller than dorsals, about 155 to 194 (averaging 165) 

 rows between gular fold and anus. Tail little longer 

 than head and body, conical, very stout, and covered 

 with whorls of small, weakly keeled, feebly spinose scales ; 

 about 64 to 88 in a whorl at largest part of tail. Femoral 

 pores very large in males, varying in number from 1 1 to 

 24 5 average in 51 thighs, 16.56. 



The head, neck, and limbs are dull brownish black 

 with a few scattered scales of grayish yellow. The back 

 is dark brown or a dull straw-color speckled with red, straw- 

 color or dark brown, and sometimes crossed by several 

 broad bands of dark brown or black. The tail is dull straw- 

 color with or without wide rings of black or dark brown. 

 The ventral surfaces are black or dark brown more or less 

 relieved with dull yellow. The relative proportions and 

 the distribution of the dark and light areas vary greatly in 

 different specimens. 



A living specimen was colored as follows: The head 

 and neck are uniform black, as are also the upper surfaces 

 of the arms and legs. The hands and feet are speckled 

 with dull yellowish white. The central portion of the 

 back is chiefly brick-red dotted with black and yellowish 

 white. Its lateral portions are chiefly black, but are dotted 

 with deep vermilion and yellowish white. The sides are 

 similar to the central portion of the back, but with less 

 white and with red of a darker shade. The chest is black 

 with a continuation of the red of each side crossing it and 



