444 On the Varieties of Chalcides ocellatus, Forsk. 



LVI. — On the Varieties of Chalcides ocellatus, Forsk. 

 By G. A. BOULENGER. 



Material recently added to the Collection of the Natural- 

 History Museum enables me to extend my remarks on the 

 forms of Chalcides ocellatus. In this widely distributed 

 Scink the number of rows of scales varies from 24 to 40, an 

 amount of variation which is to be found in no other lizard. 

 Although a splitting up into several species appears to me 

 unwarranted, I think it, however, necessary to recognize the 

 several forms under special varietal names. 



The following are the forms with which I am at present 

 acquainted : — 



A. Var. Ttagazzii. 



24 scales round the body. Greyish above, with an indis- 

 tinct paler dorso-lateral band, but without spots except on the 

 sacral region, hind limbs, and tail, which are ocellated as in 

 the typical form ; confluent black spots form a lateral band 

 extending from the nostril to above the axilla, passing through 

 the eye and above the ear-opening. From snout to vent 83 

 millim. 



The only specimen examined was obtained at Assab by 

 Dr. Ragazzi, and submitted to me for examination by the 

 Marquis G. Doria. 



B. Forma typica. 



28-30 scales round the body. Olive or brown above, 

 ocellated with black spots, sometimes confluent into irregular 

 transverse bands, bearing central white dots or longitudinal 

 shafts. Measures up to 140 millim. from snout to vent. 



Eanges from the Algerian Sahara to Egypt, Syria, Cyprus, 

 Arabia, Persia, and, according to J. A. Murray, to Sind. 



C. Var. tiligugu, Gmel. 



28-34 scales round the body (usually 30-32). Above 

 olive or brown, with black and white ocelli, and a more or less 

 distinct lighter lateral band, sometimes edged with black 

 inferiorly. Stouter and larger than the preceding, reaching a 

 length of 170 millim. from snout to vent. 



Inhabits Sardinia, Sicily, and South Italy *, Algeria and 



* Dr. F. S. Mouticelli informs me that it occurs at Portici, near 

 Naples. 



