CHA1LELE0N BASILISCUS. 
231 
to the side of the casque, but becoming indistinct as it ascends ; the distance between 
the angle of the mouth to the apex of the casque equals or slightly exceeds the length 
of the labial border ; the distance from the base of the casque anteriorly to its 
summit about equals or slightly exceeds the distance between the tip of the snout 
and the middle of the eye. Limbs well developed ; a tarsal spur in the male. Tail 
generally equals the length of the body and head. Sides of the head and casque with 
nearly equal, moderately large, polygonal, or round or flattened tubercles. Body with 
small granules, and with very minute ones, uniform in size, scattered among them. 
A very feeble dorsal ridge of triangular tubercles, becoming lost posteriorly ; a gular 
ridge of enlarged conical tubercles, becoming more indistinct towards the vent. 
Colour generally rich grass-green, either with two lines of spots along each side, the 
lower extending from the axilla to the groin, or the lines broken up into spots, the 
colour of both lines and spots varying from black to white ; mesial ventral ridge white ; 
under surface of the limbs mottled with dusky. 
Measurements of four specimens of C. basiliscus, Cope (in millim.). 
Sex. 
Snout to vent. 
Tail. 
Locality. 
6 
6 
? 
2 
123 
115 
152 
132 
138 
117 
152 
123 
Earaleh. 
Suakin. 
This species occurs at Ramleh, close to Alexandria, where it is well known to 
the Arabs in charge of the gardens of Europeans ; but whether it also occurs at 
Alexandria and at Cairo I have been unable to ascertain. Belon (1553 a.d.), however, 
has figured what I believe to have been this species, and in connection with his 
remarks on the Egyptian chameleon he mentions Alexandria and states that it was 
found in his day in all the garden hedges around Cairo and the banks of the Nile. 
George Sandys (1673 a.d.), in speaking of chameleons (the species, however, to which 
he referred is not indicated), states that they were in great numbers in the orchards 
of Cairo, but that they were not easily discovered on account of their colour being so 
alike to that of the trees on which they were found. Sonnini also mentions that he saw 
several chameleons at the entrance to the catacombs near Alexandria. 
In the British Museum there is a specimen said to have been obtained in Syria, but 
the extension of this species to Syria has yet to be established. In the same collection 
there are also three specimens said to have come from Western Africa, and one specimen 
