GONGYLUS OCELLATUS. SEPS. 205 



large lozenge-shaped scales, two of which, are side by side, 

 with the third above them ; the scales of the back and of 

 the upper parts in general are of middle size, equal, hexa- 

 gonal, much enlarged, generally smooth, but sometimes 

 slightly striated longitudinally ; the scales on the parts 

 beneath are larger, flatter, and smoother ; round the entire 

 body are thirty rows of scales ; on the toes are a number 

 of small imbricated scales, and on the soles of the feet 

 several sharp conical tubercles. The upper parts of the 

 body are brown or tawny, with a bronzed appearance, 

 having a number of black spots, more or less united to each 

 other, and with a white speck in their centres ; these vary 

 much in number and arrangement, as well as in the pro- 

 portions which the white and black bear to each other ; the 

 spots are generally less numerous on the tail and legs than 

 on the other parts ; the lower parts are in general yellowish 

 white, but in some varieties they are deep black. 



Entire length, about 10-i- inches. 



Lives among stones and sand, in dry places. This species 

 is spread over many parts of the shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean, but especially Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, and Cyprus. 

 Buonaparte says that it does not occur in Continental Italy. 

 It is said, but not positively, to inhabit the South of France. 

 Is found in Egypt and Barbary. 



Genus SEPS. 



Nostrils lateral, opening between the nasal and rostral 

 plates ; tongue flat, scaly, arrow-shaped, notched at tip ; 

 teeth conical, simple ; palate without teeth, deeply grooved 

 for half its length; four legs, each with three unequal 

 toes, having nails, and not dentated at their edges ; flanks 

 rounded; tail conical and pointed; scales smooth. Only 

 one species known. 



