Eremias. 301 



Upper caudal scales oblique, truncate behind, strongly and diagonally 

 keeled, basal subcaudals feebly keeled ; 24 or 26 scales in the fourth 

 or fifth whorl. 



Pale greyish brown above, with 2 dorsal and 2 lateral dai'ker bauds, 

 and 4 series of whitish, brown-edged ocellar spots on the back ; a 

 white streak below the dark lateral biind, from below the eye, through 

 the tympanum, to the groin ; tail yellowish with a brown lateral 

 streak in tlie anterior half. Lower parts white. 

 Measurements (in millimetres) : 



From end of snout to vent . 51 



„ ,, ,, fore limb . 20 



Length of head . . 12 



Width of head . 9 



Depth of head . 6 



Pore limb . 19 



Hind limb . . 33 



Foot . 15 



Tail . . 102 



Particulars of Specimens Examined. 



1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 



2 Type . 51 51 12 37 11 32 14-13 21 4-5 



„ "„ . . 49 56 14 33 11 31 13-14 21 4 



Hahitat. — Bechuanaland. Described from two female specimens 

 from Mochudi, received by the South African Museum from Mr. J. 

 Fenton, along with examples of Eremias luguhris and Ichnotroi>is 

 capensis from the same locality. 



This species is closely related to the typical E. lineo-ocellata, differing, 

 as I thought when describing it, in thevery rugose upper head-shields, 

 the absence of projecting scales in front of the ear, and the lower 

 number of subdigital lamellae (21 instead of 24 to 28). The number 

 of scales across the body is low (51 or 56 as against 53 to 73), as 

 compared with E. lineo-ocellata. 



However, the large series of E. lineo-ocellata which I have lately 

 been able to examine, thanks to the kindness of Miss Wilman, have 

 shown greater variation in that species, some specimens having the 

 upper head-shields strongly rugose, and the auricular denticulatiou 

 absent. So that the lower number of subdigital lamella remains the 

 only absolute difference by which to define E. aspera. It is therefore 

 highly probable that this remarkable form will prove not to deserve 

 specific rank. 



