90 PHRYNOSOMA CORNUTA. 



The bordei" between the spine?, in which the supercihary ridges terminate 

 posteriorly, is margined with black; from the inferior and anterior part of the 

 orbit descends, perpendicularly, a narrow dusky bar; another bar of the same 

 colour, but broader, runs from the inferior and posterior margin of the orbit 

 downwards and backwards to the root of the two anterior and inferior spines of 

 the range surrounding the occiput. These two spines are dirty white, the inferior 

 one margined below with dusky; the two central occipital spines are dark chestnut 

 at their bases, and black at their apices. The chin and throat are silver-white. 



The ground colour of the neck and body above is ash, with a line of yellowish- 

 white along the vertebral column, reaching from the head nearly to the extremity 

 of the tail; on each side of this line at the neck is an oblong dark blotch, which 

 extends to the anterior extremities, larger before and smaller behind. The body 

 above is marked with three transverse dark coloured blotches or bands, not 

 however crossing the vertebral line; the anterior is only a dark oblong spot, in 

 the centre of which is a long spine; the basis of this, as well as most of the 

 spines, is surrounded by an irregular circular border of chestnut, with an 

 occasional tinge of yellow; the spines themselves are a darker chestnut; the 

 central and posterior bars are most extensive, but even they only reach the 

 margin of the vertebral line. The thorax and abdomen are silver-white, with 

 small dusky spots, sometinies round, sometimes oval, each including a portion of 

 three or four scales. The tail is coloured above like the back, and is completely 

 banded towards the tip — below it is silver-grey. The anterior and posterior 

 extremities are ash colour above, marked with transverse dusky bars, and silver- 

 grey beneath. 



Dimensions. Length of head to root of occipital spines, 7 lines; length of body, 

 from head to vent, 2i inches; of tail, beyond the vent. If inches; of thigh, 9 lines; 

 of leg, 9 lines; of tarsus and toes, 9 lines; total length, 4 inches 7 lines. 



Habits. The Phrynosoma cornuta inhabits the prairies of the west; it moves, 

 according to the accounts of those who have seen them in the wild state, with 



