2 
102 Zoological Society :— 
two series of broad band-like scales down the vertebral line of the 
back, which are continued on the upper surface of the base (and pro- 
bably of the whole length) of the tail; but the single specimen which 
I have seen has evidently had the end of the tail reproduced and 
covered with abnormal scales. ‘The tail is depressed, and has a 
series of prominent keeled scales, forming a dentated keel on each 
side, 
This genus I consider forms a distinct family, which may be called 
Ho aspip4&, distinguished from Lacertinide by the form of the tail 
and the peculiarities of the scales. 
1. Howaspis, A. Smith, MS. 
Head pyramidal, depressed; crown covered with regular, many- 
sided shields; side of face shielded; nostrils nearly on the ridges 
near the front of a single scale with a shield in front of it; labial 
shields low ; temple covered with small scales; eyes lateral ; lower eye- 
lids scaly ; eyebrow covered with three large shields; ears large, 
oblong, erect, open; tympanum rather sunk ; tongue slender, re- 
tractile (?); the apex deeply notched, acute. Body depressed, with 
a slight keel on each side of the belly. The back and upper part of 
the neck covered with whorls of narrow elongated keeled scales, with 
two series of smooth, oblong, transverse shields, one on each side of 
the vertebral bones. The belly covered with cross series of square 
smooth shields, placed in few longitudinal series. The throat and 
neck covered with small rather convex scales, and with a distinct 
collar formed of a regular series of large half-ovate scales. The legs 
rather depressed, covered with granular convex scales; the front 
legs with a series of broad smooth shields on the upper front side ; 
the thighs with two (an upper and lower) series, and the hind legs 
with an inferior series, of smooth broad shields, like those on the 
front of the fore legs; the hind feet slightly fringed on the inner 
side ; toes 5: 5, elongate, slender, unequal; claws acute. The femoral 
pores small. Vent with a single half-oblong shield in front. Tail 
depressed, with a fringe of compressed close scales on each side, the 
sides covered with rings of small convex scales, and with two series 
of small broad band-like shields on the upper and lower surface. 
Mr. Cope. has pointed out to me that this genus agrees in many 
particulars with the genus Placosoma of Fitzinger, MS., described 
by Von Tschudi in an article on the family of Hepleopoda (Arch. fir 
Naturg. 1847, pp. 50 & 58). 
The scaling seems very similar; but the body of Placosoma is not 
said to be so depressed and fringed on the sides; and the small part 
of the tail that remains on the specimen described is not said to be 
depressed and fringed on the sides; and I can hardly believe that 
Von Tschudi would have overlooked such a peculiar form, and there- 
fore I believe they are different. 
Von Tschudi describes the scales on the upper surface of the 
small part of the tail that remains, which is only 3 lines long, as small, 
like those on the sides; but in Dr. Smith’s genus the upper surface 
of the tail is covered with two rows of large shields, like the back. 
