BUCEPHALUS CAPENSIS. 



mode of arrangement of the scales. On the tail, however, different characters 

 exist, the scales covering it, instead of being carinated, are quite smooth like 

 those on the temples and nape, and are more or less six-sided, one side being 

 always formed by the base, and another by the apex, the last is generally 

 very short, and scarcely to be appreciated in many of the scales, more 

 particularly in those towards the tip of the tail. The point of the tail, in 

 many specimens is formed of a scaly pointed tubercle, in others it is covered 

 with a number of small imbricate scales. The abdominal plates are slightly 

 arched, the convexity backward, their extremities arched or slightly semi- 

 circular ; the subcaudal scales are disposed in two rows, and each scale is 

 distinctly six-sided till near the point of the tail, where they become more or 

 less distinctly four-sided : in the six-sided scales the sides forming the 

 extremities are much shorter than the two middle ones. The skin of the 

 neck, and of rather more than the first half of the body, is more than sufficient 

 to enclose the parts contained within it, and is very loosely attached to the 

 parts it encloses; in consequence there is a superabundant portion, which 

 portion is usually disposed in two longitudinal folds, one at each side of the 

 abdominal plates ; these folds are always in existence, except when the gullet 

 and stomach are fully distended with food. On the sides and back of the 

 head, and also on the hinder portion of the hody and tail, more especially on 

 the latter, the skin is not more than sufficiently extensive to cover the parts 

 it encloses, and in these situations it is firmly and closely united to the 

 subjacent parts. The usual length of an adult specimen of this variety is from 

 4| to 5 feet, of which the tail generally forms between a fourth and a fifth 

 part : individuals are occasionally found, however, exceeding 6 feet. The 

 following are the measurements of the specimen figured, and of two others 

 now before us; also the number of abdominal plates and subcaudal scales 

 existing upon each : — 



The Female is never so freely variegated with yellow on the sides as the 

 male, and many specimens are met with in which merely the centre of each of 

 the scales adjoining the abdominal plates is faintly tinted with greenish 

 yellow. The yellow of the abdominal plates is also of a duller tint in the 

 female, and often with a strong tinge of green. 



