228 ZOOLOGY. 



gin of the auditive aperture may be seen a series of small polj^gonal plates, a continuation 

 of the postorbitals. There are six upper labials; the two middle ones are much the largest, 

 and longer than high. The anterior two are subquadrangular ; the posterior two elongated, 

 narrow, subtriangular; the last of the series is very small, with its acutest angle directed for- 

 wards, the reverse of the fifth. The inferior labials are seven in number, the posterior ones be- 

 ing very small and narrow; the third and fourth are very large; the second is nearly equal in 

 size with the fourth upper labial, and the first nearly equal to the fifth of its -own series. The 

 symphiseal is semi-elliptical, and well developed. The submaxillaries or mental shields are very 

 large; the anterior odd one is broadest; the second, on either side, are in contact for almost their 

 whole length; the tliird and fourth diverge. Six or seven smaller plates, disposed upon a 

 double row, terminate the submaxillary series at the angle of the mouth, and close to the an- 

 terior and lower rim of the auditive aperture. The latter is large and sub-circular, margined 

 anteriorly with scales somewhat larger than those covering the middle of the temporal region. 

 The extreme margin of the angle of the mouth is provided with small scales or else minute 

 plates. The mental region, enclosed by the submaxillary plates, is covered with irregular and 

 small scales, a narrow area of which may be seen extending to the lower edge of the auditive 

 aperture. The anterior portion of the throat is provided with small polygonal plates, whilst 

 the posterior portion of that region is covered laterally with minute, and upon its middle with 

 rather small plates. The plates on the middle region of the posterior subgular fold are nearly 

 equal in size to those of the anterior portion of tlie throat. On the margin of tliat fold they 

 are again very small. 



The anterior and upper surface of the forearm is provided with a swies of five large polygonal 

 and transversely elongated plates, surrounded with smaller ones, and beneath, posteriorly, to- 

 wards the elbow, may be seen an area covered witli about a dozen j^lates of a much smaller size, 

 and rather subcircular than polygonal in their outline. The anterior and upper surface of the 

 arm exhibits a series of transversely elongated plates, still larger and more numerous than on 

 the forearm, surrounded likewise by smaller ones. The remaining portion of the surface of that 

 limb is densely covered with small scales, assuming a plate-like aspect ujoon the middle region 

 beneath and towards the elbow. The palm of the hand is covered with minute scales, and the 

 metacarjius, opposite the external finger, is marked by a few small plates. The hand above is 

 plated; the jDlates being a little smaller on the metacarpus than on the carpus. The fingers 

 are protected above and below by a series of transversely elongated and uniform plates, extend- 

 ing to the very base of the nails. There is a lateral series of small scales separating the upper 

 from the lower digital plates. The internal and external fingers are shorter than the others, 

 and nearly equal in length. The middle one is a little longer than the adjoining two. The 

 nails are well developed, compressed posteriorly, conical, acerated, and curved anteriorly. 

 The anterior surface of the thigh is covered with plates of medium size, diminishing very 

 much in size towards the inferior surface. The femoral pores, seventeen in number, limit the 

 plated surface of that organ. They issue forth between an anterior subcrescentic small plate and 

 two minute posterior ones. The inferior surface of the leg is covered with four longitudinal 

 series of plates, very large upon the anterior series, and diminishing gradually in size upon the 

 remaining series. The inferior surface of the metatarsus is protected by rather conspicuous and 

 imbricated plates, whilst on the upper surface there exist minute scales. The tarsus exhibits 

 four series of well-developed plates, which may be traced along the upper surface of the toes 

 narrower upon the articulation of the phalanges than upon their middle region. The inferior 

 surface of the toes is provided externally with a conspicuous series of small plates, and internally 

 witli two much smaller and irregular series placed along the thumb^ the first (longest) and 

 second toes, whilst these latter series are replaced by scales upon the fourth and fifth toes. 

 The posterior surface of the tarsus is covered with minute scales, somewhat larger on the sole 

 of the foot, between the thumb and the first (longest) and second finger. The plates on the 

 Upper surface of the tarsus and those on the inferior surface of the leg are contiguous upon the 



