820 



EEPTILTA. 



Variations in the head-shields of nine specimens. 



1. The first variety is one in which the loreal is prolonged into the orbit and 

 is surmounted by one preocular which reaches the head. Its temporals are 2 -j- 1 

 + 2 ; the anterior shields are in contact with three postoculars. The occipitals are 

 rather more elongated than in some other specimens; eight upper labials; third, 

 fourth and fifth orbital. 



2. One preocular, but the shield on one side is nearly divided in two. Temporals 

 2 + 1 + 3; the anterior shields in contact with the two lower postoculars; third, 

 fourth and fifth orbital. Vertical with the lateral margins straight convergent. 



3. One preocular. Temporals 2 + 2 + 1 in contact with three postoculars. 

 Lateral margins of vertical slightly concave ; eight upper labials ; third, fourth and 

 fifth orbital. 



4. One preocular. Temporals 2 -j- 1 + 2 in contact with three postoculars. 

 Upper labials 7 ; the third and foiu^th orbital. The seven labials are evidently pro- 

 duced by the fusion of the third, fourth and fifth labials. The vertical is rather 

 shorter than in the others, and its form is more sharply defined, its lateral margins 

 being very straight and convergent ; eight upper labials ; third, fourth and fifth orbital. 



5. One preocular. Temporals 2 -{- 1 -}- 2 in contact with the postoculars. 

 Vertical with its lateral margins shghtly convex and three posterior angles rounded. 



6. Two preoculars on one side, three on the other. Temporals and vertical as 

 in No. 4 ; eight upper labials ; third, fourth and fifth orbital. 



7. Two preoculars. Postoculars two on one side and three on the other ; tem- 

 porals on one side 1 + 1 + 2, on the other 2 + 1 -f 3. In the former case, in 

 contact with lower, in the latter, with the two upper postoculars. Lateral margins 

 of vertical as in No. 3 ; upper labials eight ; third, fourth and fifth orbital. In this 

 specimen it is evident that the superior of the two anterior temporals is a separated 

 portion of the occipital. 



8. Three preoculars. Temporals irregular. One small plate wedged between 

 the two lowest postoculars. The sixth labial with an elongated temporal behind it 

 and another above it, touching the middle and superior postocular. Vertical slightly 

 elongated with the posterior angles (lateral margin) rounded. Labials eight ; third, 

 fourth and fifth orbital. 



9. One preocular. Temporals 2 + 1 -|- 2 in contact with the two superior 

 postoculars. Vertical labials and orbital as in the preceding specimen. 



This species ranges to Assam, the Khasia Hills and Sikkim ; but it appears to 

 have a greater numerical development to the east than towards the west, and from 

 the cii-cumstance that it is rare in the valley of the Irawady, it may be considered 

 to be a mountain form. 



