81 



the outer interrupted by the sixth upper labial, 8 upper and 6 lower labials, 

 3 pairs of nuchals, 28 smooth scales round the middle of the body, the two 

 median rows largest. No enlarged praeanals. Median subcaudal plates strongly 

 dilated transversely, being more than half the width of under-surface of tail, 

 and twice the width of bordering scale-rows. '^^^ 



Limbs short; the length of the hind limbs equals the distance between the 

 fore limb and anterior corner of eye or more (to second labial) ; third and 

 fourth toes equal, or third a little longer, 12 or 13 lamellae beneath the fourth 

 toe, 10 or 11 beneath the third finger. 



Upper-surfaces dark greyish-brown, uniform, each scale narrowly edged 

 with black. Lighter beneath, each scale also dark edged. Traces of rust-colour 

 about the anal region of the adult female. 



8. Lygosoma (Hemiergis) peronii. Fitz., Neue Classif. Rept., 1826, p. 53; 

 Boulenger, op. c, vol. iii., p. 326; Zietz, op. c, p. 215. 



Specimens from Streaky Bay (mainland). South Neptune Island, Black 

 Rock, St. Francis Island. Pearson Island, Price Island, and Flinders Island. 



Two specimens (Streaky Bay and St. Francis Island) show the typical form 

 o\ colouration, in which the dorsal area is uniform or speckled with black. The 

 rest are strongly marked with a vertebral paired series of black dots, which may 

 be confluent into a single vertebral streak. So striking is this character, that 

 if it were not for the exceptions mentioned I should be inclined to consider that 

 these insular specimens belonged to a distinct race. 



Slight variations of form occur, one specimen being unusually elongate, 

 the distance from axilla to groin being three times that from fore limb to 

 snout-tip. 



9. L. (Hemiergis) decresicnse. Fitz., Neue Classif. Rept., 1826, p. 53 ; 

 Boulenger, op. c, vol. iii., p. 327; Zietz, op. c, p. 216. 



One specimen of this rare skink from Flinders Island. The British Museum 

 has only four specimens, one of which is from Kangaroo Island. 



10. L. (Rhodoma) frosfi. Rhodoma tctradactyla, Lucas and Frost, Proc. 

 Roy. Soc. Vict. (n. ser.), vol. vii., 1895, p. 268, and" Rep. Horn Expd., ii., 1896, 

 p. 142, pi. xii., fig. 3; ^^^ L. frosti, Zietz, op. c, p. 217. 



Specimens from Streaky Bay (mainland), FHnders Island, and South 

 Neptune Island. 



This extremely rare and interesting skink was first discovered in Central 

 Australia. The only two specimens in the British Museum are from Murray 

 River, South Australia. 



The digits of the Southern specimens compared with the plate of the type 

 of L. fetradactyla, appear to be longer and more slender, particularly the third 

 finger and toe. It is possible that the two may be distinct varieties or geo- 

 graphical races. 



11. L. (Rhodoma) punctatovitfatum. Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3), 

 vol. XX., 1867, p. 47; Boulenger, op. c, vol. iii., p. 335; Zietz.. op. c, p. 216. 



One specimen of this extremely rare skink from Flinders Island. The British 

 Museum has only the type-specimen, received in 1866; the new individual agrees 

 with this in every detail. 



12. Ablephariis linco-occUata. Dum. and Bibr., Erp. Gen., vol. v., p. 817; 

 Boulenger, op. c, vol. iii., p. 348; Zietz, op. c, p. 220. 



One very young specimen from St. Francis Island. 

 The dorsal ocelli are well marked. 



(3) In L. gastrostigma these plates are but one-third the width of the tail, and once and 

 a half times the width of the bordering scales ; moreover, they are scale-shaped, whereas in 

 L. wood-jonesii they are shape of the ventrals of a snake. 



(6) Specific name preoccupied. 



