314 Dr. A, Gunther on some new J^ecies 



of the rostral shield half that of the snout, the part below the 

 nasal slit being shorter than that above it. The first three 

 upper labials nearly as high as long, the third being below the 

 eye. Vertical longer than broad. Four prseanal scutes, the 

 two middle ones being the largest. Entirely black. 



The length of the body of our largest specimen, without the 

 tail, which is more or less injured, is nearly 6 inches. 



From Anzahamaru. 



Gongylus melanurus. 



Rostral shield with an upper undulated margin ; supranasals 

 in contact with each other ; frontal broad, single, with a 

 straight posterior margin ; vertical large, bell-shaped, nar- 

 rower in front than behind, with an excision in the middle of 

 its hind margin, the small central occipital fitting into the 

 excision ; one pair of occipitals. 



Nostrils situated entirely within the rostral shield j post- 

 nasal smaller than loreal. Six upper labials, the fourth being 

 the largest and situated below the eye. 



Front lower labial narrow, followed by a single mental, 

 which is broader than long. Six lower labials. 

 Eyelid scaly. Ear-opening small, round. 

 Body surrounded by 26 longitudinal series of scales. There 

 are 82 transverse series of scales between the mental and the 

 vent, which high number sufficiently indicates the slenderness 

 of the body. 



Four prseanal scales, the two central ones being the largest. 

 Fore limbs extremely small, with a longitudinal groove on 

 the side of the body, into which they can be received when 

 the animal is burrowing underground. When laid forwards 

 they scarcely reach the ear-opening. Toes very short, third 

 and fourth equal in length. The hind limb and toes very 

 short, the second and fifth toes equal in length, the fourth 

 one fourth longer than the third. 



Upper parts brown, sometimes black, sometimes brown 

 mottled with darker. Abdomen whitish. Tail generally 

 entirely blackish. 



millim. 



Distance of the snout from the eye 3| 



„ „ ear-opening .... 8 



„ „ fore Hmb 17 



„ „ vent 60 



Length of tail (restored) ca. 70 



„ fore hmb 7^ 



„ third front toe 1 



„ hind limb 12 



„ fourth hind toe 3i 



