CORDYLUS POLYZONUS. 



ally like two keels ; the scales of the temples hard, rugged, indistinctly keeled, 

 and one over each external ear, somewhat triangular and prominent, so as to 

 form a strong spine, extending outwards and backwards. Vide Plate XXX. 

 fig. 7 a. Scales of the neck superiorly, and those of the back and sides rather 

 large, quadrangular, and arranged in distinct transverse rows, about forty in 

 number, each scale with an obtuse and slightly developed keel ; scales of the 

 sides of the neck somewhat triangular, rather tubercular, and each with a 

 prolonged apex directed outwards and backwards. The fore-legs and the 

 upper and posterior surfaces of the hinder legs somewhat diamond-shaped 

 and strongly keeled, each keel behind terminating in an acute point ; the 

 scales of the under and anterior surfaces of the hinder leg somewhat hemi- 

 spherical and smooth. Tail covered with rugged keeled scales disposed in 

 rings, the keels of the upper and lateral scales most developed, and each 

 posteriorly is prolonged and forms a spiny point, the latter most lengthened 

 on those of the sides near to the body ; towards the tip of the tail the keels are 

 distinct, but the spiny prolongations are hardly visible. Space between rami 

 of lower jaw covered with small quadrangular scales arranged in longitudinal 

 rows ; scales of under surface of neck subovate and disposed in oblique rows, 

 those of under parts of body rather small, quadrangular, and in transverse 

 rows, eighteen in each. Pre-anal space covered with small flat irregular 

 scales, one on each side of the central scale of hindermost row larger than 

 the others and five-sided ; immediately behind anus a transverse band of 

 small scales not so distinctly marked as in Cordylus griseus, and at each of 

 the anterior angles of this band there are two larger scales, one the innermost 

 flat, the other tubercular and pointed. Feet moderately large ; toes rather strong 

 and armed with short, pointed, and curved nails ; under surfaces of feet and 

 toes covered with rugged tubercular scales. Femoral pores very small — (see 

 Plate XXX. fig. 7 b) — about eighteen in number, and disposed in a single 

 row, none projecting beyond the circumjacent scales, which affords a charac- 

 ter by which this species is readily to be distinguished from Cordylus griseus. 

 Adult specimens usually measure from nine to ten inches. 



This species is rarely found within the boundaries of the Cape Colony, but specimens are 

 readily procured to the north of the Orange River. In the districts it inhabits, it in some mea- 

 sure takes the place of Cordylus griseus, for though the latter is found in them also, it never 

 occurs so abundantly as more to the southward. Like the last-named species it chiefly in- 

 habits rocky hills, but it is also often found under solitary rocks or large stones. 



The number of the transverse rows of scales on the back, the small size of the femoral pores, 

 and the greater size of this reptile, are leading characters by which it is to be distinguished 

 from the only other species with which it can be confounded. 



