182 Lacertidse. 



sometimes nearly as large as in a typical L. taurica, variable to tha 

 same extent as in var. campestris ; masseteric shield usually distinct, 

 frequently in contact with the upper temporal, or separated from it by 

 a single series of scales ; four* upper labials anterior to the subocular,^ 

 the lower border of which is much shorter than the upper. 



Collar-edge usually feebly but more or less distinctly serrated ; 7 to 

 11 plates in the collar; 20 to 29 scales and granules between the 

 symphysis of the chin-shields and the median collar-plate ; gular fold 

 very distinct. 



Scales on the back oval-hexagonal or distinctly hexagonal, distinctly 

 or sharply keeled, often smaller on the vertebral line ; lateral scales as- 

 large as or a little larger than the dorsolaterals, usually more or less 

 distinctly keeledf ; 44 to 68 (usually 48 to 53) scales across the 

 middle of the body ; 3, or 2 and 3, transverse series of scales 

 correspond to one ventral plate, 81 to 45 to the length of the head. 

 Ventral plates in 6 longitudinal and 25 to 31 transverse series. Pre- 

 anal plate moderately large or rather small, with two semicircles 

 of small plates ; an enlarged median plate sometimes preceding the 

 preanal. 



Scales on upper surface of tibia considerably smaller than the 

 dorsals, always distinctly keeled. 16 to 24 femoral pores on each side 

 (usually 19 to 22). 22 to 29 (usually 24 to 27) lamellar scales under 

 the fourth toe. 



Upper caudal scales strongly keeled and obtusely but distinctly 

 pointed behind^ : the scales more or less oblique with the keel parallel 

 to the axis of the tail ; the whorls more or less distinctly longer and 

 shorter alternately ; 28 to 32 scales in the fourth whorl behind the 

 postanal granules. 



* Three on one side in single specimens from Trieste, Bosnia, Trebiuje, and 

 Zara. Not one of the many specimens examined by me has five, a number 

 which is sometimes found in specimens from Lagosta, and in as many as 10 per 

 cent, of those from Melisello. 



t Lehrs (I.e., p. 231) says, " Eiicken- und Flankenschuppen gleich gross, bis zu 

 den Bauchachildern deutlich gehielt." There is no constancy in this character. 

 In a female from Zara, of viniform olive coloration, the scales on the lower part 

 of the flanks are considerably larger than the dorsals, and perfectly smooth. 

 In various striated specimens, including the actual types from Fiume, I also- 

 find the lateral scales distinctly larger than the dorsals, and the keels often sa 

 faint as to be difficult to detect. 



t The difference in the sliape of the caudal scales, as compared to the var. 

 campestris {serpa, Schreib. part.), which Sohreiber regards as one of the specific 

 characters of L. fiumana, does not exist. I have never seen the keels projeotinw- 

 beyond the border of the scales. 



