52 J. Cock burn — On the hah its of a little hnoion Lizard. [No. 2, 



margin of the orbit; where it abruptly terminates. Nostril round, in a 

 single large inflated shield, its position being immediately above the 3rd 



and 4jth labials. Labial formula, .. * ,.- ., / 



' 12, M. 12 



The lips are thick and fleshy and there are two rows of scales, similar 

 to the upper labials, covering the lip. Both upper and lower labials are 

 perforated with pores varying from 1 to 5 in number on each scale ; the 

 loreal region also exhibits these pores. The upper surface of the head 

 requires minute description ; it is more or less covered with tuberculated and 

 keeled scales. Beginning from the rostrum it will be seen that the 4th 

 and 5th scales on the mesial line from this shield are tuberculated and 

 enlarged into a rudimentary nasal appendage. The number of scales in 

 transverse series at this point are 2 on each side, or, including the tubercle, 

 5 in all. In other specimens, particularly in females, this character may be 

 described as a rosette-like group of tuberculated scales. These scales are 

 not so strongly marked in immature specimens. Posterior to this region 

 are the convexly prominent superior surfaces of the orbit, characterized 

 by a deep mesial groove, and also covered with enlarged tubercular scales. 

 In the centre of the vertical region, which may be defined by an imaginary 

 line drawn across the head from the posterior termination of the super- 

 ciliary ridges, is a large round scale with a central depression and white 

 horny central point. iSeparated from it by a single scale are two small 

 conical isolated spines, and a few enlarged keeled scales. Further beyond, 

 on the posterior edge of the temporal region, are two groups of spines as in 

 Calotes. These groups are made up of from 5 to 7 elongate conical spines, 

 a central spine being always more developed than the others. There is one 

 other character of importance in the head. This consists of a ridged cheek 

 piece of much enlarged and keeled scales which extends from below the 

 hinder angle of the orbit to the tympanum. The number is not constant, 

 and from 6 to 12 may sometimes be found. 



The normal colour of the females consists of various shades of earthy 

 brown, with three rows of rhomboidal or circular blotches — one median, 

 which is the largest and extends down the tail, and two lateral rows of 

 smaller size. The blotches have a pale straw or flesh-coloured edging. 

 Females taken under sexual excitement are either wholly crimson, or crimson, 

 with the exception of the back, which is dusky olive. The gular fold is deep 

 black. In this stage the female does not exhibit any markings or blotches 

 whatever, and at the least provocation or excitement becomes quite crimson. 

 The prominent and pendulous abdomen in this sex is evidently connected 

 with the stowage of ova. 



The males are normally of an uniform dusky brown. In this sex the 

 blotches are not so well marked as in the female, and much smaller. The 



