THE GENUS CNEMIDOPHOKUS. 39 



Cnemidophorus vaeiolosus Cope. 



This species exliibits the general scale characters of the C. tessellatus, but pos- 

 sesses some peculiarities. The interparietal plate is twice as large as either parietal. 

 Infralabials five. The scales of the brachinm and of the femur are smaller and more 

 numerous than in the C. tessellatus. There are six rows of the former, four being 

 the usual number in the latter species ; and eight of the latter, six or seven being the 

 usual number. Brachial lows three ; tibials three. Anal scuta with the lateral 

 scales rather larger than usual, giving four large and six small ones in all. Femoral 

 pores more numerous, twenty-five on each side. This species is especially character- 

 ized by the length of the hind leg, which reaches, when extended, to the postnasal 

 plate, instead of to the meatus auditorius only. The scales of the mesoptychium 

 extend all the way across, and are not interrupted at the middle by smaller ones as 

 in the C. t. perplexus. The marginal scales are smaller. Posterior gular scales are 

 smaller, bounded in front by the larger scales of the anterior gular region. 



Total length 250 mm. ; of head and body to vent 65 mm. ; of head to angle of 

 mandible 10 mm. ; to collar 21 mm. ; to axilla 31 mm. ; length of fore leg 27 mm. ; 

 of fore foot 12 mm. ; of hind leg 55 mm. ; of hind foot 30 mm. 



The typical specimen is of a size which would be fully striped if it belonged to 

 the C. maximus or C. tessellatus, being that of the eastern C. sexliaeatus. There are, 

 however, no stripes, but the olivaceous ground of the superior surfaces is marked 

 with numerous rather small yellowish oval spots. Those of the sides are irregularly 

 disposed, but those of the superior surfaces are arranged in six more or less irregular 

 series. Of these the two external on each side correspond with the two external 

 stripes of the young of the C. tessellatus. On the nape the series lose their regu- 

 larity, and on the nape region they are more frequently transverse. The hind legs 

 are olivaceous, marked with numerous irregular oval yellow spots. Ko stripe on the 

 posterior face of the femur. Head without spots or stripes. Gular region dark 

 olive ; thorax blackish ; belly yellowish, the scales with black bases. Tail olive with 

 scales above yellowish at the base, brownish beyond; below brown except the basal 

 fourth, which is yellowish with black spots on most of the scales. Posterior limbs 

 with oval yellowish spots on an olivaceous ground. Femur not striped behind. 



This species resembles the C. maximus in the increased number of its femoral 

 pores and femoral and brachial scales, but is distinguished by its much longer hind 

 leg, spotted coloration and much smaller size. 



