234 Dr. A. Giintlier on new Species of 



blue, while the Peruvian bird, no. 6, showed but a trace of 

 steel-blue in the vivid green. Mr. Gould's specimen from 

 Ecuador (?) had a little blue above the black on the outer 

 rectrices. It would therefore seem to be quite evident that 

 both discrepancy in size and variation in hues are individual 

 characteristics among specimens of C. mocoa, as is observed 

 among examples of C. forfcatus, and not of any specific 

 value, and that the G. bolivianus, Gould, should be relegated 

 to the synonyms of C. mocoa, as an untenable species. 



XXXI. — Description of new Species of Reptiles from Eastern 

 Africa. By Dr. A. Guntiier, F.R.S., Keeper of the 

 Zoological Department, British Museum. 



The British Museum has recently received some small con- 

 signments of reptiles from various parts of Eastern Africa, 

 chiefly through the kindness of Dr. Kirk and Mr. Bewsher. 

 The following very interesting species were recognized as 

 undescribed. 



Geocalamus, g. n. Amphisbaen. 



Allied to Baikia. Head very short, with compressed coni- 

 cal snout. Rostral large ; two large frontalis form a suture 

 together behind the rostral ; vertical small, square, some- 

 times confluent with the frontals ; two occipitals witli small 

 accessory scutes on the sides and behind. Nasal very small, 

 above the first labial ; ocular above the second and third 

 labials. Three upper labials. Mentale square, of moderate 

 size ; three lower labials ; gular scutes small, rather numerous. 

 Sternal scutes similar to those of the body, oblong, quadran- 

 gular, small. Prgeanal shields two, triangular ; prseanal pores 

 four. Lateral line distinct. 



Geocalamus modestus. 



One verticellus consists of 38 scutes, of which 17 are above, 

 and 21 below the lateral lines. Upper parts greyish, lower 

 white. 



