1872.] F. Stoliczka — On Indian Lizards. 93 



Hemidactylus. 



I have observed in several hundreds of specimens of different species of 

 Hemidactylus, (as restricted, and of the section Doryurd), as well as in the 

 allied genera Pervpia and Nycteridiwn, that the total abseDce, or the presence, 

 of a few enlarged tubercles does not constitute a sufficiently distinct specific 

 character. The variations in this respect cannot be accounted for either 

 by age, sex, or the locality, but they are simply accidental. The species 

 belonging to the section Doryura have generally a nearly uniformly granular 

 body, well developed paratoid glands and normally a smooth tail, while in 

 Hemidactylus the tail is normally spiny, but, when reproduced, it becomes 

 smooth. 



The distribution of the Indian and Burmese species of Hemidactylus 

 is the following : 



1. H. TKrEDRTis, Daud. (I. E., p. 107). Ceylon, South and Central 

 India (Bundelcund).* 



Nothing reliable is as yet known about the form for which Jerdon 

 suggested the name H. subtriedrus (Jour. A. S. B., Yol. xxii, p. 467). 

 (see pi. ii, fig., If). 



It is perhaps not specifically different from triedrus, but there certainly 

 exist some forms which possess the distinctive characters noted by Jerdon of 

 his subtriedrus. Mr. W. T. Blanford kindly allowed me to examine two 

 specimens which he lately collected near Ellore, and which, although agreeing 

 in form, general structure and coloration with triedrus (for instance the figure 

 inBelanger's Voyage), differ somewhat from the description usually given 

 of that species. The two specimens are both females, apparently not full 

 grown, and measuring on the average 4|- inches, of which the head is about 

 f- inches,- and rump 1|- inch. None of the tubercles on the back is as 

 large as the opening of the ear ; the head does not appear to be shorter than 

 in typical triedrus, but the scales on muzzle and throat are certainly very 

 small ; a great number of moderately enlarged tubercles on the hinder part of 

 the head ; two enlarged shields behind the rostral separated by two small 

 azygous shields ; nostril situated between rostral, suprarostral, first labial and 

 two moderate shields behind ; 10 to 12 upper labials, not constant, a row of 

 conspicuously enlarged scales above them ; 10 very distinct and well 

 developed lower labials ; 2 pairs of chin-shields, first forms a suture ; 32 long 

 rows of scales across the middle of the belly. The coloration, which was 

 noted by Mr. Blanford during life is : body generally bluish grey with 5 olive 

 brown, black-edged bands on the body and about 6 on the tail ; of the 

 former the first is situated on the neck, 2nd on the shoulder and the last be- 



* Proc. A. S. B. for 1870, p. 74. 



f Side and lower views of head j natural size. 



