MICROLOPHUS. ^13 



SuBFAM. PLEURODONTES. 



The teeth are inserted upon the inner edge of a groove carved in 

 the jaw bones. The body is either depressed, broader than deep, or 

 compressed, and deeper than broad. Some genera are provided with 

 a dorsal crest, which is wanting in others. The same is true with the 

 palatine teeth, which are present in some, and absent in others. 



Syn. — Pleurodontes, Wagl. Naturl. Syst. Amph. 1830, 147. — DuM. & Bibr. Erpet. 

 gea. IV, 1837, 33 & 46— Dum. & A. Dum. Catal. meth. Kept. Mus. d'hist. nat. i, 

 1851, 54. 



Observ. — -The genera of this group are differently distributed in the 

 method by the authors just quoted, although they essentially agree upon 

 the structural character above referred to : the difference arising from 

 the fact that Wagler subordinates the dentition to the general shape 

 of the body, which is either broader than deep or depressed [Platy- 

 cormae), or deeper than broad or compressed {Stenocormae) . Now, we 

 will find that there are Pleurodonts and Acrodonts amongst both the 

 Platycorms and Stenocorms. 



Genus MICROLOPHUS, Dum. & Bibr. 



Gen". Char.— Head subpyramidal, subquadrangular, depressed, covered 

 with unequal, smooth plates. Occipital plate well developed; supra- 

 ocular plates large. Nostrils lateral, rather tabular, situated above 

 the canthus rostralis. Palatine teeth extant. Auricular aper- 

 ture denticulated in front. Several cross-folds under the neck, and 

 an arched fold before each shoulder, meeting on the chest. Body 

 elongated, subdepressed, rather rounded, with two longitudinal 

 folds on either side. Scales small, subimbricated, slightly keeled, 

 or smooth on the back; larger, imbricated, and smooth on the belly. 

 Nape, back, and tail with a very low, serrated, or tubercular crest. 

 Tail long, subcorneal, covered with subverticillated, carinated, and 

 rather large scales. No femoral pores. Five fingers and five toes, 



unequal, clawed. 



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