248 SAURIA. 



the adjoining ones. Smallest on the sides, the abdominal scales are 

 larger than the dorsal ones. The preanal series are subequal. On 

 the caudal region, the scales are somewhat larger than on the body, 

 and hkewise larger beneath than above. 



The upper regions of the head, neck, back, and tail are olivaceous 

 or fulvous-brown, with metallic reflections ; the head being variously 

 spotted or speckled with black, whilst the neck and back exhibit a 

 median black streak, either simple or double, oftentimes interrupted, 

 or else formed of one or two series of black spots, such as' are ob- 

 served along the tail. A similar black streak exists on each side 

 of the back, extending from the supraocular region along the tail, 

 exteriorly of which is a narrow light line, beginning at the supra- 

 ciliary region, to terminate at the base of the tail. From the eye 

 to the base of the tail is an orange-red (chestnut-brown in alcoholic 

 specimens) streak, margined above and below with black, and from 

 the upper labials is another narrow yellowish streak, crossing the 

 ear, likewise margined with black, though the same black margin 

 which lines beneath the orange-red streak, is the one which lines 

 above the yellowish streak now spoken of. The lower portion of the 

 sides of the head, neck, and flanks is either orange-red, unicolor, or 

 else speckled with brown and white. The sides of the tail exhibit 

 black and yellowish spots, the continuation of the lateral streaks. The 

 limbs are similarly spotted with black and yellowish. Beneath, the 

 hue is nearly uniform pale brown, black-speckled under the head, and 

 obscurely lineolated longitudinally over the belly and along the tail. 



Log. — Specimens of this species were collected, about the Bay of 

 Islands, New Zealand, during the earliest part of March, 1840, when 

 a colored sketch was made from the living. It is said to be "common 

 among stones along the shores of the bay, not being met with at all in 

 the interior, even on exposed and barren hills." (Pickering.) 



Plate XXYII, fig. 9, represents Oligosoma zelandicum, size of life. 



Fig. 10, an upper view of the head; — fig. 11, the profile; and, 



Fig. 12, an under view of the same region. 



Fig. 13, the left hand, from above; — fig. 14, the same, from below. 



Fig. 15, a group of dorsal scales; 



Fig. 16, a group of abdominal scales. 



Figs. 10-16, are somewhat magnified. 



