114 F. Stoliczka — On Indian Lizards. [~Ho. 1, 



nates a short distance behind the nostril, and passes below the eye in a slight 

 ascending curve to the upper edge of the tympanum ; 10 — 12 upper and as 

 many lower labials ; a short ridge of spiny scales is in continuation of the 

 upper labials directed towards the lower edge of the tympanum, but separat- 

 ed from it by a tubercular group of spines ; tympanum slightly smaller 

 than the eye, with a group of spines in front of it ; numerous groups or 

 irregular short ridges of enlarged spiny scales at the side of the neck, the 

 skin on it behig rather loose. Lower rostral sharply pointed behind ; first 

 pair of chinshields large and nearly touching below the rostral ; one or two 

 rows of enlarged scales follows on either side along the labials, separated 

 from them by one or two rows of smaller scales. The throat fold extends 

 laterally in front of the shoulder, where only a small naked pit of soft skin 

 exists. Enlarged dorsal scales moderate, sharply keeled, in about 13 

 longitudinal series in the centre of the back ; they are considerably smaller, 

 but distinctly continuous on the neck and up to the occiput ; nuchal crest 

 small, composed of separate, sharply keeled, compressed scales ; numerous 

 enlarged, almost spiny, scales at the side of the body interspersed between 

 the smaller ones ; scales on the upper side of the limbs larger than those 

 of the body ; on chin small, subtubercular, very sharply keeled ; on breast 

 and belly indistinctly keeled or nearly smooth, often with a patch of enlarg- 

 ed, hardened, scales in the centre of the belly, where they are arranged in 

 about 40 longitunal series. Each thickened scale in the preanal patch is 

 soft or spongy in the middle, and evidently secretes a similar fluid, as do 

 the preanal and femoral pores of other lizards. Scales on the tail irregular at 

 the base, but farther on arranged in verticils ; their size is equal to those on 

 the upper side of the feet. 



The fore-limb when laid backward fully reaches the groin, but more 

 often extends a little further on the sacral region, the fourth finger is a 

 trifle longer than the third ; the hind leg, when laid forward, sometimes 

 reaches the snout, but usually only the front edge of the eye ; the fourth 

 toe is longer than the third by its claw. 



General colour, in young, above and at the sides pale olive, variegated and 

 spotted with black and yellowish white ; throat reticulated with dusky 

 blackish ; rest of lower side white. Adults are throughout brownish or 

 blackish, or with some indistinct darker spots along the back ; head uniform, 

 much paler ; body above all over densely spotted with yellow, throughout 

 reticulated with bluish, and there is, in adult male specimens always, some 

 blue tinged with red, on the chest, on the sides of the head, neck, and 

 of the belly, most strongly marked in the breeding season ; sometimes the 

 entire throat is purplish blue ; lower side of body and of tail yellowish white ; 

 terminal two-thirds of tail blackish. 



Sab. — I have received some 40 specimens from Dr. Day, who collect- 



