98 LACERTIDE. 
shield); frontal usually feebly grooved anteriorly ; two large supra- 
oculars, with a smaller one in front and behind, which are frequently 
broken up into small scales or granuies; the length of the first prin- 
cipal supraocular equals or exceeds its distance from the loreal; the 
supraoculars usually in contact with the frontal ; interparietal small ; 
no occipital ; temporal scales granular, smooth ; usually an elongate 
scale on the supero-anterior border of the ear; no auricular denti- 
culation ; lower eyelid opaque; subocular bordering the lip, usually 
between the sixth and seventh upper labials; the two or three first 
labials in contact with the lower nasal; the three, or rarely four, 
anterior pairs of chin-shields in contact. A more or less distinct 
transverse gular fold, connecting the ears; not more than 30 gular 
scales on a line extending from the collar to the suture between 
the chin-shields; collar slightly curved, perfectly free, with 9 to 
11 plates. Dorsal scales granular, round, juxtaposed, perfectly 
smooth, 50 to 65 across the middle of the body. Ventral plates 
forming more or less regular oblique longitudinal, and slightly 
angular transverse series; the longest transverse series contain 
14 or 16 plates, which are as long as broad, or a little longer 
than broad; 29 to 34 transverse series. Preanal scales usually 
small and irregular, sometimes with a much enlarged posterior 
shield. The adpressed hind limb usually reaches the collar or 
between the latter and the ear, in some female specimens not 
beyond the axil; foot as long as the distance between the arm and 
the centre of the eye, or the anterior border of the orbit; an outer 
series of large subtibial shields, which are more than thrice the size 
of the others. 17 to 25 femoral pores on each side, the two series 
sometimes nearly meeting in the middle. Tail once and a half to 
twice as long as head and body ; upper caudal scales, at the base, 
more or less distinctly keeled, or smooth; basal subcaudals smooth. 
Young blackish above, with whitish longitudinal lines along the 
back, and round whitish spots on the sides and limbs; these mark- 
ings usually disappear more or less completely in the adult, which 
are greyish or brownish, spotted or longitudinally streaked with 
black, with or without round whitish spots on the back, sides, and 
limbs ; sometimes a series of large blue and black ocelli on each 
side; lower surfaces white. 
antes millim. 
Potal lengthy 223 easrnac ed vals ves 170 197 
OAM: ring conor ay aad vk eee hare ee 17 17 
Width of head .................. 12 12 
From end of snout to forelimb .... 27 28 
From end of snout to vent ........ vi 72 
Fore: Limb: sic negibiwawiaven des 28 28 
Hitid: WMD». e es ers ada ya eee Rs 44 4] 
MPAL) bn dd sail tid ak ee SR 100 125 
Southern Russia, Transcaucasia, Turkestan, Persia, Baluchistan, 
Afganistan. 
