1872.] F. Stoliczka — On Indian Lizards. 135 



attains its greatest size and development on the Ghats of South India, and 

 gradually diminishes in size as it extends further north, and into the plains. 

 Careful observations of the younger stages of punctata must settle this pre- 

 sently doubtful point, but it is one of extreme interest for the study of the 

 development of our Indian fauna. 



Chiamella eeneata, Gray. 

 Gray, Cat. Lizards B. R., p 97.— Gunther, I. R., p, 95. 



I obtained an adult specimen* of this very rare form near Puna (Dak- 

 bin), on the sandy banks of the river between shrubs. 



Body very slender and long, muzzle moderately obtuse, head flattened 

 above. Rostral shield broader than high, slightly reaching to the top of 

 head. Anterior frontal large, single ; posterior frontals small, separate ; 

 vertical small, in contact with anterior frontal, angular in front, obtusely 

 rounded (sub-eliptically) behind ; supraciliaries four ; anterior occipitals united 

 into one obtusely triangular shield, median occipital small, pointed behind 

 and the posterior occipitals elongate, forming a suture posteriorly. Nostrils 

 lateral, in a single elongate shield ; supranasals narrow, separated by the 

 anterior frontal which is in contact with the rostral. Two loreals. Lower 

 eyelid transparent. Seven upper labials, fifth largest and under the orbit ; 

 six lower labials. Ear small, with smooth edges. Scales perfectly smooth, 

 shining, in 22 longitudinal rows round the middle of the body, and in 82-84 

 transverse series between the limbs ; preanals and subcaudals not perceptibly 

 enlarged. Limbs very short, each with four toes, the inner toes on both 

 very small, the fourth toe on the fore-limb is only a little longer than the 

 second and sensibly shorter than the fourth ; on the hind-limb the third is 

 very little longer than the fourth. When laid forward the anterior limb 

 does not reach the ear, and the hind-limb is equal to one sixth the length 

 between it and the fore-limb. 



Colour, above, iridescent bright golden brown, sides paler with a 

 greenish tinge, lower side whitish ; all scales with blackish median spots, 

 forming continuous lines above, but they are slightly more interrupted at the 

 sides and on the belly, and are least distinct on the throat ; head shields 

 marbled with dark ; edge of lips yellowish ; limbs and tail similarly striped 

 as the body. 



Gray's characteristic of the genus is excellent, with the exception that the 

 contiguity of the supranasals cannot be considerate of generic value. My 

 specimen measures 43 inches, body 2* (head alone Q'2), tail 22, reproduced 

 towards the tip ; fore-limb 02, hind-limb very nearly 0"3 inch. 



* The only type specimen in the British Museum is a young one, and its propejr 

 locality was unknown. 



