296 DR. GUNTHER ON THE FAUNA OF SAVAGE ISLAND. [May 5, 



with this species, the typical specimens of which had been collected 

 in Tougatabu. But the dentition of our example does not agree with 

 the figure given by the French naturalists, which, however, does not 

 seem to be sufficiently accurate for the purpose of specific identifica- 

 tion. Peters places Pt. tony anus as a doubtful synonym under 

 Pteropus keraudrenii. As I shall have before long well authenticated 

 examples of the latter for comparison, I shall,' perhaps, be able to 

 throw more light on this problematical species. 



Of Reptiles the following were in the collection : — 



1. Ablepharus pcecilopleurus, Wiegm. 



It appears to me that recent authors (more especially Strauch in 

 his monograph of this genus) have confounded two species under the 

 names A. boutonii and A. peronii. 



In the Mauritian species, for which the name boutonii must be 

 retained, the posterior frontals are scarcely in contact with each other, 

 the vertical almost touching the prsefrontal. In specimens from 

 Australia, the islands of the Pacific, and eastern portion of the Indian 

 Ocean, the posterior frontals form together a broad suture, as has 

 been already represented by Wiegmann and Cocteau. The oldest 

 name for this form is Ablepharus poecilopleurus, Wiegm. I have 

 been able to convince myself of the constancy of this character, having 

 examined 10 specimens from the Mauritius, and, of the Pacific 

 species, 5 examples from the Sandwich Islands, 2 from Savage Island, 

 1 from Aneiteum, 4 from North Australia, 1 6 from Western Aus- 

 tralia, and 3 from Timor*. 



2. Gehyra oceanica, Less. 



3. Mabouia baudinii, D. & B. 



This appears to be the most common species of the island, the 

 late Mr. Brenchley having collected numerous examples. Other 

 localities from which we have received this species are New Guinea 

 and San Christoval (Solomon Islands). 



* I append here the description of another new species in the British Mu- 

 seum : — 



Ablepharus quinquet^niatus. 



This species belongs to the division Cryptoblej)harus, and is allied to C. pceci- 

 lopleurus, but may be readily recognized by its coloration. The upper and lateral 

 parts are deep black, with five well-defined narrow white lines — one along the 

 median line of the back, one from each superciliary along the side of the back, 

 the outermost from the infraocular through the tympanum to the loin. On the 

 tail the median line has disappeared, and the others are continued as zizgag 

 lines or series of spots. Lower parts greenish. 



The eye is surrounded by a complete circle of granules ; postfrontals united 

 by a broad suture ; central occipital confluent with anterior occipitals. Dorsal 

 scales very broad, in four series. Body surrounded by 24 series of scales ; 63 

 scales in a longitudinal series between chin and vent. Two large pra?anal scales. 

 Toes very slender. 



Two specimens (of the ordinary size of a C. pcecilopleurus, and perfectly alike 

 in every respect) were presented to the British Museum by Capt. Parry, and 

 are said to be from tbe west coasi. of Africa. 



