252 ZONURIDE. 
temporal fossa roofed over by dermo-ossification; preemaxillary, 
frontal, and parietal single; nasals distinct; palatines and ptery- 
goids widely separated medially, both bordering the infraorbital 
fossa ; head with dermal bony shields. Clavicle slender, not dilated 
proximally ; interclavicle cruciform ; sternum without fontanelle. 
No abdominal ribs. Head symmetrically shielded. Eyelids well 
developed. Scales on the body, if not granular, arranged in 
transverse series. Osteodermal plates present in one genus, but 
devoid of distinct tubules. 
Like the preceding, this family has points of resemblance with 
the Iguanide and with the Angwde. From the former it is distin- 
guished by the cranial dermal ossifications and the cruciform inter- 
clavicle; from the latter by the tongue, which, like that of the 
Iguanide, is not divisible into an anterior and a posterior part, the 
ceelodont dentition, and the structure of the bony plates of the body, 
when present. 
Four genera are known, inhabiting South and Tropical Africa, and 
Madagascar. 
Synopsis of the Genera. 
I. Limbs well developed. 
A. Back with osteodermal plates. 
Dorsal scales large................ 1. Zonurus, p. 252. 
B. Back without osteodermal plates. 
Dorsal lepidosis heterogeneous ...... 2. Pseudocordylus, p. 259. 
Dorsal lepidosis uniformly granular.. 3. Platysaurus, p. 261. 
II. Limbs rudimentary, body serpentiform. 
Scales lanceolate, keeled .......... 4, Chamesaura, p. 263. 
1. ZONURUS. 
Cordylus, part., Laur. Syn. Rept. p. 51. 
Zonurus, Merr. Tent. Syst. Amph. p. 57; Gray, Cat. Liz. p. 47. 
Cordylus, Cuv. Regne Anim, 2nd ed. ii. p. 83; Gray, lc. p. 46. 
Hemicordylus, Smith, Mag. N. H. (2) ii. 1888, p. 82; Gray, lc. 
p. 48. 
Zonurus, part., Dum. § Bibr. v. p. 344. 
Head and body depressed; limbs well developed. Head-shields 
regular ; four parietals; nostril pierced in the nasal. Ear-opening 
large. Eyelids well developed. Dorsal scales large, bony, forming 
regular transverse series; ventrals large, square or subtriangular, 
juxtaposed or imbricate, forming longitudinal and transverse series. 
No collar fold. Digits slightly keeled inferiorly. Tail spinose. 
Femoral pores. 
South Africa. 
