186 THE EEPTILES OF EGYPT. 
Lichtenstein, in his description of the species, mentions Egypt and Nubia as the 
areas of its distribution. It is common in Lower Egypt in the localities enumerated in 
the foregoing list of specimens, and is present also in Middle Egypt (Tel el Amarna to 
Ras Gharib); but although E. guttulata is associated with it in Lower and Middle 
Egypt, it is noteworthy that my collection does not contain a single specimen from 
the desert on either side of the Nile, to the south of Tel el Amarna. It is common, 
however, in the oasis of Kbargeh, to the west. It ranges northwards through the 
Sinaitic Peninsula to El Ghor, at the southern end of the Dead Sea, and also into 
Arabia. To the west of Egypt it has been recorded by Peters from Sokna, in Tripoli, 
and by Boettger from near Ouargla, in the Algerian Sahara. 
The ancient Egyptians occasionally preserved certain small species of lizards as 
mummies, and kept them in wooden or metal boxes. The top of the box generally 
had a representation on it, in relief, of the lizard preserved within. These figures, 
however, were either so rudely executed, or have become so indistinct by age, that 1 
have found it impossible to do more than guess at the genus. Some of them have 
suggested the genus Eremias, others Chalcides. They were possibly used as charms. 
Synopsis of Egyptian Species of Eremias. 
I. Lower nasal divided ; nostril defined by four nasals. Ventrals in 6 or 8 
longitudinal series. Lower eyelid scaly ; nasals in contact behind 
rostral •. E. miicronata. 
II. Lower nasal undivided ; nostril defined by three nasals. 
a. Ventrals in 8 or 10 longitudinal series ; subocular enters labial margin. 
Lower eyelid transparent ; upper nasals in contact behind rostral . . E. guttulata 
b. Ventrals in 12 longitudinal series, rarely 10 ; subocular enters labial 
margin. Lower eyelid transparent ; rostral in contact with fronto- 
nasal E. rubropunctata. 
