170 THE KEPTILES OF EGYPT. 
the 6th and 7th labials, or on the 5th and 6th, rarely on the 7th and 8th or asym- 
metrically on these labials. No transparent ocular disk. Ear vertically oval, mode- 
rately large, its margin occasionally with feeble denticulations. Temporals granular, 
smooth. Two pairs of chin-shields in contact behind the mental, the third pair being 
more or less separated by interposed scales. Collar free, from 6 to 12 plates ; the first 
transverse row of ventrals behind the collar longer than broad, and usually 12 in 
number from shoulder to shoulder. Dorsal scales granular anteriorly, more or less 
rounded, smooth and juxtaposed, but further back they tend to become longer than 
broad, and before the sacral region they may or may not show faint indications of an 
obtuse keel ; 62 to 88 scales across the middle of the body including the ventrals. 
Ventrals broader than long, in longitudinal and transverse series ; 6 from side to side, 
across tbe middle, with an outer row of smaller plates on each side; 24 to 29 ventrals 
along the mesial line from the collar to the pores ; praeanal plate large, more or less 
round; 14 to 22 femoral pores. Limbs rather long; the hind limb when adnate 
reaches to the eye or in advance of it ; digits rather slender, much compressed ; upper 
surface of fore limb covered with large, smooth, hexagonal plates ; upper aspect of 
hind limb with keeled imbricate scales, largest on the tibial portion ; the front of the 
thigh with a line of broad smooth plates ; and the inner aspect of the tibial portion 
with similar plates and a series of smaller plates. Tail more than twice and a half 
as long as the body and head, tapered to a fine point ; supracaudal scales strongly 
keeled ; subcaudals smooth at the base, afterwards strongly keeled. 
Prevailing colour on the upper surface fawn ; a black band from the mesial line of 
the occiput to the base of the tail, or prolonged on to the tail for a short way ; two 
lateral dark bands external to the mesial band, and more or less spotted with fawn, or 
obscurely with brick -red ; a dusky line from the ear to the groin, occasionally obscurely 
indicated, but usually spotted with fawn. These bands are separated from each other 
by narrow fawn-coloured bands. Upper surface of the head more or less punctulated 
with dusky, also the fore limb ; hind limb with black reticulations enclosing pale spots. 
All the bands are more or less prolonged on to the tail, or they may be broken up into 
brownish-black spots. Underparts pure white, with the exception of that of the tail 
which is citron-yellow. 
In the breeding-season the under surface of the neck of the male is orange or 
gamboge-yellow, the under surface of the tail having a greenish hue. 
This species is very common on the great maritime plain at Durrur and Suakin, 
and is generally met with on the sandy and pebbly patches that mark the position of 
the watercourses or Mors which are covered with a fine grass a foot or more in height 
and a variety of plants and shrubs, the coloration of the lizard being in wonderful 
harmony with its surroundings. 
The stomachs of the genus Eremias generally contain the remains of coleoptera and 
are remarkably free from sand, as their feeding-grounds lie in stony places. 
