81 



Var. SYRIAOUS, Boettger. 



After mature consideration I have decided to unite the Syrian form 

 with that from Cyprus, as the only important difference resides in 

 the stronger and sharper keels on the dorsal scales — a difference of 

 degree which is not greater than we find in varieties of other species 

 (4. vulgaris, A. scutellatus). The keeled temporal scales and rather 

 larger gular scales (27 to 32, rarely 35, in a straight line) are not 

 important characters in the light of the variations in other species. 

 18 to 22 scales in a transverse series between the hind limbs ; 21 to 

 26 femoral pores on each side. In 10 specimens from Beyrut (out 

 of 14 examined) the frontonasal is longitudinally bisected, and in 

 one, preserved in the Lyons Museum, the suboeular narrowly enters 

 the labial border . 



The specimens examined by me, as well as those described by Boettger 

 and by Werner, are often reddish above, with 8 light bluish-grey 

 longitudinal streaks bearing small blackish spots. Others are grey 

 above, with small black spots, or white, dark-edged ocelli between 

 more or less distinct light longitudinal streaks, exactly as in the 

 typical A. schreiheri. 



Measurements (in millimetres) : 



In its strongly keeled scales this form approaches the typical 

 A. boshianus, of which it has been regarded as a variety by Boettger 

 and by Lataste ; but it is easily distinguished from it by the smaller 

 scales on the posterior part of the back, and the first supraocular 

 appears to be always entire. 



VOL. II. 6 



