82 Mr. G. A. Boulenger on the Geographical 



(Zonuridse, Gerrhosauridffi, Anelytropida) gradually disappear 

 towards the north. As Africa shows some points of relation 

 to Tropical America in certain Batrachians, such as the 

 Aglossa, the Csecilian genus Dermophis, so a point of similar 

 affinity is suggested by the Amphisbsenidge, of which eight 

 genera occur in Africa and five in America, two being 

 common to both regions. The distribution of the Lacertilia 

 does not afford any support to the divisions into the conti- 

 nental subrcgions proposed by Wallace. Madagascar is as 

 differentiated from continental Africa in its Lizards as in its 

 Batrachians, although it has less in common with the 

 Oriental Region; we find likewise strictly American forms 

 (the Iguanoid genera Hoplurus and Chalarodon) and a 

 striking negative feature in the absence of such families as 

 the Agamidse, Amphisbfenidse, and Varanidge ; it possesses a 

 peculiar family — the Uroplatidfe. The sole point by which 

 affinity to the Oriental Region might be thought to be indi- 

 cated consists in the presence in the Andaman Islands of a 

 species of the Geckoid genus Phelsuma. But Madagascar 

 has important elements in common with Africa, viz. the 

 Chamgsleontidse (represented by twenty-four species, nearly 

 half the number actually known), Gerrhosauridge, and Zouu- 

 ridge. It should therefore be regarded as a subregion of the 

 Ethiopian Region, having much in common with the latter, 

 a little with South America, scarcely anything with the East 

 Indies, and nothing with Australia. 



It is remarkable that this region is relatively poor in 

 arboreal lizards, these being almost exclusively represented 

 by the Chameleons. The Agamoids, so rich in arboreal 

 forms in the Oriental Region, are terrestrial in Africa {Agama, 

 Aporoscelis, Uromastix) ^ and so are also the few Iguanoids 

 of Madagascar. 



Although the distribution of minor groups is beyond the 

 scope of this paper, the range of a few genera may be noticed, as 

 affording strong support to the views advocated on the rela- 

 tionship of the Ethiopian and Palsearctic Regions. 



1. Lacerta. Three species in South Africa, four in 



Tropical Africa, about twelve in Europe and the 

 circum-Mediterranean district. 



2. Tropidosaura. Two or three species in South 



Africa, three in the circum-Mediterranean district. 



3. Eremias. Numerous throughout Africa and South- 



western and Central Asia and Mongolia. 



4. Scapteira, Two or three species in South Africa, 



two in Central Asia. 



