CORDYLUS FASCIATUS. 



lower lip also six, the last two strongly keeled. The scales on the back and 

 sides of the neck, and those along the middle of the back small and granular ; 

 those on the sides of the back and on the sides of the body considerably 

 larger, and each with a small horny tubercle near its centre, which also 

 exists on each of those of the neck and middle of the back ; — all the scales 

 are disposed in transverse rows, the rows on the neck less distinct than 

 those on the body. Scales covering the fore-legs, except beneath towards the 

 body, and those on the upper surface of hinder legs somewhat diamond-shaped, 

 each carinated, and the carina elongated posteriorly and forms an acute 

 raised spine ; under surface of hinder legs coated with smooth, moderately- 

 large, somewhat quadrangular scales, and the hinder surface with granular 

 ones. Tail covered with hard rugged scales, disposed in distinct rings, 

 and each ring composed of two rows of scales ; the scales of the first, or 

 basal row, smallest, and but slightly carinated, those of the other strongly 

 carinated, and on the upper angles and sides of the tail particularly, the 

 keels are very prominent posteriorly, and form strong sharp spines. Scales 

 between rami of lower jaw small, flat, quadrangular, and disposed in longi- 

 tudinal rows ; on the under surface of the neck subovate, imbricate, and 

 arranged in oblique rows. The plates covering the under surface of body 

 are placed in transverse rows, fourteen in each. Pre-anal space covered with 

 flat irregular-shaped scales, the hindermost ones the largest ; the base of the 

 tail on each side close to anus, armed with a pointed tubercular scale project- 

 ing outwards, and differing in character from those which follow it. Feet 

 moderately large; toes long and slender, and each armed with a short pointed 

 and curved nail ; scales covering under surface of feet small and tubercular. 

 Femoral pores in two or more rows rather irregularly placed, and their sheathes 

 elevated and warty (Plate XXX. fig. 5 b). The largest specimen which I have 

 seen — the one described — measured nine inches and a half in length. 



Doubts may be entertained of the propriety of regarding this as distinct from Cordylus 

 Microlepidotus ; yet, when the scales of the neck and centre of the back are examined, and 

 contrasted with those on the same parts of the species just named, sufficient differences are 

 observable to justify my regarding them at present as probably distinct. Dumeril and Bibron 

 regard them as identical,* and it is j ust possible they may have had an opportunity of examining 

 a greater number of specimens than I have had, and hence have arrived at a just conclusion. 



Two of the three specimens I have examined were obtained on the rocky hills in the neighbour- 

 hood of Graham's Town; and the third, which is in the Museum at Fort Pitt, was, I believe, 

 obtained from the same locality. Having never seen a specimen alive, I know nothing of its 

 habits. 



* Erpetologie General, torn. v. p. 363. 



