REPTILES. 13 



scales of the back are lozenge-shaped, the carina of moderate height but prolonged into an 

 acute point. Amongst those of the sides of the neck and belly are a few which are notched 

 at the margin.* The scales of the posterior surface of the thigh are wholly granular. 



The proportions of the limbs vary in the two sexes. In the male they are considerably 

 longer than in the female. In the latter the posterior extremity when placed against the side 

 extends only to the arm, in the former it reaches to the ear. The ground colour of the back 

 is chesnut brown or greenish brown, with a bright metallic green glance in certain lights ; 

 there are two light buff longitudinal fasciae running the whole length of the body ; the under 

 parts are of a bright metallic blue colour. Mr. Darwin states that in one specimen there were 

 emerald spots on the sides, which did not exist in another individual. This may possibly be a 

 sexual peculiarity. 



DIMENSIONS OF A MALE SPECIMEN. 



Inches. Lines. 



Length of the head 6 



of the body 1 9 



of the tail 3 3 



Total length 5 8 



Length of anterior extremity 1 



of posterior extremity 1 5 



Found by Mr. Darwin at Valparaiso, and at Valdivia ; the former is a very 

 dry rocky country, with a scanty vegetation ; whereas the latter is nearly level, 

 covered with the thickest forest, and the climate exceedingly humid. 



Proctotretus Kingii, N.S. 

 Plate VI.— Fig. 1, 2. 



Squamis capitis neque imbricatis nee carinatis ; supralabialibus in serie unicd ; aurium 

 margine anteriore granuloso ; interdum unidentata ; squamis, dorsalibus carinatis, 

 postice acuminatis, femorum facie posterior -e prcecipuh granulosa, sed portione parvd, 

 caudam versus, squamis parvis, rotundatis imbicralis tectd. 



Habitat, Port Desire in Patagonia. 



Description.— General form robust and full; the head short, thick, and passing into the neck with- 

 out any distinct contraction ; the muzzle rounded. Scales of the head larger in proportion than 

 in Pr. Fitzingerii. Ear large, oval, with the anterior margin granular, sometimes slightly 

 toothed. Scales of the temples of moderate size, imbricated, smooth, somewhat raised. A 

 single range of oval moderate-sized scales between the labial and the orbital scales on the 



* This is contrary to the character given by M. Bibron, who states that the whole of these are entire. 



