128 SCINCUS FASCIATUS. 



is sustained by the sixth and seventh superior labial plates. The frontal are 

 irregularly quadrilateral, with their internal angles elongated; the centro-frontal is 

 hexagonal, broadest transversely; and the anterior frontal are sub-quadrilateral 

 and rounded in front. The rostral plate is large, pentagonal, holloAvcd bckjw and 

 angled above. The nasal are rounded and single on each side. 



The nostrils are very near the snout, and lateral, but opening upwards and 

 outwards. There are eight quadrilateral superior labial plates, sixth and seventh 

 largest. The eyes are rather small, tlie pupil dark, the iris golden, the eye-lids 

 dark brown, with an internal narrow yellow margin. The external meatus of the 

 ear is oval and vertical, the tympanum pale flesh colour. 



The body is elongated, cylindrical, and covered above with small rhomboidal 

 scales, imbricated, and arranged in longitudinal rows. 



The throat and abdomen arc covered with scales approaching the hexagonal 

 form, but are so rounded posteriorly and so imbricated as to appear semicircular. 



The tail is cylindrical, ver)- long, and covered above with scales, larger than 

 those on the back; below there is a central row of large plates, resembling those 

 of the Boa. These plates begin about one inch behind the vent, between which 

 and their commencement are three rows of imbricated scales; while in the 

 Scincus quinquelineatus there are five rows of scales, which extend to half the 

 length of the tail. The vent is transverse, with two large and two smaller scales 

 in front. 



The anterior extremities are short, and covered with scales nearly hexagonal, 

 but with their external angle rounded; there are five fingers, distinct, and each 

 furnished with a small delicate and curved nail. The posterior extremities are 

 well developed, covered with scales similar to the anterior; there are five long 

 slender toes, each with a short curved nail. 



