Lacerta. 101 



transverse rather than iu longitudinal series ; these ocelli, 10, 12, or 

 14 in number in a transverse series on the body, are yellow on the 

 back and bluish on the sides, and the black rings may be enlarged 

 and run together to form transverse chains, or even irregular or 

 oblique cross-bars. Head brown or olive above and on the sides, with 

 round yellowish spots on the sides, one on each upper labial shield. 

 Digits and tail often reddish. Lower parts greenish white. 



As the lizard grows, the ground colour turns either to a brighter 

 green or to brown or even reddish-brown, the ocelli on the back and 

 limbs lose the bright colour or become ti-ansformed into rosettes with 

 a black central spot or into a network, whilst the centres of the lateral 

 ocelli become enlarged and form 2 to 4 longitudinal series of 

 large deep-blue spots, with or without narrow black edges, sharply 

 defined from the ground colour and usually larger in males than in 

 females. Sometimes the upper parts appear blackish-purple or black, 

 closely sprinkled with yellow or green, with more or less distinct 

 traces of the reticular or ocellar pattern, which is usually so suggestive of 

 an embroidery. Head, and sometimes also the nape, brown or blackish 

 above. Tail olive or brown, often reddish posteriorly, with small 

 dark spots which may form regular annuli. Lower parts yellowish, 

 greenish white, or bluish green. 



Measurements (in millimetres) : 



„ „ . ■ 130 78 10 30 11 37 13-14 23 6 9 



<? ^"ice 210 71 10 30 11 35 12-13 23 9 14 



