ilolaspis. 377 



line along the side of the tail ; lower parts white. In the specimens 

 examined by Werner there are black spots on the sides of the tail, 

 which may extend to the upper surface to form cross-bars. 



Total length 112 milliui., in whifih the head enters for 17, and 

 the tail for 57 ; fore limb 21, hind limb 42. 



Habitat. — The unique type is from Rio Croco, coast of Mossamedes. 

 Werner has since recorded several specimens from Walfish Bay, 

 Damaraland. 



The above account is compiled from Bocage's description and 

 figure. 



22. HOLASPIS. 



Holaspis (A. Smith), G-ray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1863, p. 152 ; Lataste, 

 Ann. Mus. G-enova (2) ii, 1885, p. 125 ; Bouleng. Cat. Liz. iii, p. 118 

 (1887). 



No frontoparietals, through fusion witli tlie inter- 

 parietal, which forms a large shield in contact with the 

 frontal and the occipital. Nostril pierced between two 

 nasals, narrowly separated from the first upper labial. 

 Lower eyelid scaly, with 3 to 5 enlarged, semitransparent 

 scales in the middle. Collar well marked. Two series of 

 large, smooth, transverse plates along the nape, back and 

 tail ; lateral scales small ; ventral plates not imbricate, 

 smooth. Fingers nearly cylindrical ; toes depressed and 

 serrated laterally in their basal half, the distal half feebly 

 compressed and forming an angle ; subdigital lamellae 

 smooth. Femoral pores. Tail much depressed and 

 serrated laterally. 



Tropical Africa. 



Parietal foramen and pterygoid teeth absent. 



Holaspis is a highly specialized form, occupying an isolated position 

 in the family Lacertidae. It is probably derived from less aberrant 

 forms connected with Philoehortus, which I regard as its nearest though 

 very remote living relative. 



1. HOLASPIS GUENTHEEI. 



Holaspis guentheri (A. Smith), Gray, t.c. p. 153, pi. xx, fig. 1 ; 

 r. Miill. Verb, Naturf. Ges. Basel, vii, 1885, p. 702 ; Bouleng. I.e. ; 



