1G4 THE EEPTILES OF EGYPT. 
In the Sinaitic Peninsula and in Southern Syria, the scales are in no sense granular, 
but they are at the same time extremely small and more or less carinated, a feature 
which is more or less distinctive of the species in all other localities. At Duirat, 
Tunisia, and Algeria the scales are more or less rhomboidal, but in some specimens 
they verge on being granular in both sexes. The Saharian lizards have also 
rhomboidal keeled scales, but they are somewhat smaller than in the lizards still further 
to the west (Senegambia, &c), in which they are more rounded at their free margins 
and more distinctly keeled. There is thus a considerable degree of difference between 
the granular-scaled lizards and those with rhomboidal, keeled, somewhat imbricate 
scales, but the undoubted occurrence of others with scales intermediate between the 
two extremes links them together. 
In lizards from Wadi Haifa the scales vary from 73-87, an amount of variation 
which practically embraces that which is met with in the typical form in the Fayum and 
in the southern portion of the delta, Gizeh and Matariyeh. In the Isthmus of Suez, 
however, the scales manifest a distinct tendency to become more numerous, as they do 
not fall below 85 and rise to 105. This high type of lepidosis extends into the 
Sinaitic Peninsula and into Syria, but it is only a slight gradual increase on the 
highest number found in the typical form. It thus appears that in the number of 
their scales, as in their other differences, they pass into one another. 
In the Saharian region, the number of scales is lower, as a rule, than it is in Egypt. 
At Laghouat it falls as low as 56, and only exceptionally rises to 80. This means 
that the scales are larger. These lizards represent Scapteira inomata, Gray, and the 
var. exigua, Lataste. Traced still further to the west, viz. in Senegambia, Cape Verd, 
and Cape Jubi, the scales, while they fall as low as in the Saharian lizards, do not 
rise above 68. 
In lizards referable to var. dumerilii, M.-Edw., the upper labials show a distinct 
tendency to variation, as the fourth and fifth appear to amalgamate in some, and the 
second or third to divide in others. 
Synopsis of the Egyptian Species of Acanthodactylus. 
A. Four rows of scales round the fingers, viz. a superior, an inferior, and 
one externo- and one interno-lateral, each of the latter forming a short 
fringe ; three rows of scales round the toes, viz. a dorso-lateral, an 
inferior, and one externo-lateral forming a strong fringe. 
Dorsal scales small, rhomboidal, slightly enlarged on the posterior part 
of the body A. scutel/atus. 
B. Three rows of scales round the digits of the front and hind limbs, viz. : 
a dorsal, inferior, and externo-lateral forming a fringe. 
Dorsal scales strongly carinate, imbricate, much larger on the hinder 
part of the back than anteriorly A. boskianus. 
Dorsal scales small, granular, smooth or more or less carinate . . . A. partialis. 
