EKEMIAS LUGUBRIS. 



centre ; no occipital plate ; parietal plates large, irregularly four-sided, and in 

 contact behind the fronto-parietal. Palpebral plates form a large oval disc, 

 which is surrounded entirely with small granular scales ; freno-rostral plate 

 small and quadrangular; freno-ocular large, and irregularly four-sided, with a 

 small quadrangular one between it and super-orbital plates ; ante-ocular scales 

 narrow and indistinct ; the central portion of the lower eyelid formed of small 

 semi-pellucid plates ; plates of upper lip, anterior to infra-orbital plate, five ; 

 behind two rather large, and somewhat irregular in shape; scales of lower 

 lip, six or seven, vide Plate XLVIII. Figs. 5 and 5 a. Opening of ear rather 

 large and vertically ovate; mernbrana tympani, a little below the surface. 

 Scales of the back and lower parts of the sides, small, inclined to circular, 

 placed close to each other like the stones of a pavement, and disposed in 

 regular transverse rows ; scales of under surface of neck anteriorly small, 

 oblong, and subovate, posteriorly somewhat triangular and imbricate ; ante- 

 pectoral fold formed of eight irregular shaped scales, the two middle ones 

 the largest. The first and second row of pectoral plates, quadrangular and 

 lengthened, the others smaller, somewhat triangular, and not arranged in 

 very regular transverse rows ; plates of helly, quadrangular, and disposed in 

 transverse rows, each consisting of six plates ; pre-anal plates, towards edge 

 of vent, very small, more in front considerably larger, and irregularly shaped. 

 Femoral pores, sixteen. Scales of the upper and lateral parts of the tail 

 carinated ; plates of the under surface, quadrangular and smooth. Fore legs 

 towards toes, anteriorly, covered with large plates, elsewhere, with small, 

 subtriangular, imbricate, scales ; toes and claws strongly compressed. 

 Hinder legs, anteriorly and inferiorly, covered with plates, posteriorly with 

 minute granular scales, and superiorly with rather small subtriangular ones. 

 When the fore leg is placed along the side of the neck, the longest toe 

 reaches to about the extremity of the nose, and when the hinder is directed 

 parallel to the side, the longest toe reaches nearly to the hinder angle of the 

 eye. 



Length from the nose to the vent 2 inches, of the tail 5 inches. 



Inhabits the arid districts immediately beyond the northern boundary of the Colony, and is 

 often found on level stony surfaces devoid of soil. In these situations it may be seen during 

 the day enjoying the heat of the sun, and occasionally darting upon insects, which form its food. 



The having only six longitudinal rows of ventral scales prevents its being confounded with 

 any of the yet known species. It differs also from all in having the palpebral plates forming 

 the disc entirely encircled by small granular scales ; the species nearest it, in this respect, is 

 Eremius capensis, in which a distinct interruption is to be observed at the inner and hinder 

 portion of the disc. 



