BUCEPHALUS CAPENSIS. 

 Variety A.— Plate XI. 



BucErnALUS Belli, Smith, Zoological Journal, vol. iv. p. 442. 



Colour. — The upper parts of the head greenish black, variegated with 

 yellow spots and waved angular lines,* the lateral parts yellow or greenish 

 yellow. The back, the sides of the body, and the upper and lateral parts of 

 the tail blackish green, or greenish black, the two first crossed with narrow 

 irregular greenish yellow lines, one line to each row of scales ; and formed 

 of a series of small oval spots, one of which exists near the centre of each 

 scale. On the tail, instead of transverse lines, there are a series of irregularly 

 disposed yellow spots, one toward the centre of each scale, generally larger 

 than those which exist upon the scales of the body. The abdominal plates 

 are of a greenish yellow colour, and each is marked near to its hinder 

 edge by a narrow transverse greenish black line, immediately before which, 

 in many individuals, there is a whitish one with a mother-of-pearl tint. 

 Subcaudal scales greenish yellow, narrowly edged with greenish black. Eyes 

 silvery grey, grass-green, or clear brown. The depth of the ground-colour 

 varies considerably in different specimens of this variety, as does also the 

 tint of the light markings ; in some, the former colour approaches to olive- 

 green, or even grass- green. 



Form, &c. — The figure of the head and body, and the appearances of the 

 scales and character of the skin the same as particularized in the description 

 of Plate X. The following are the measurements, &c. of four specimens of 

 this variety : — 



The Female is coloured nearly as the male. 



* In many specimens of this variety the upper surface of the head is yellow, or greenish yellow, 

 mottled with greenish black spots or lines. 

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