T A RAG U IRA TORQUATA. 3^9 



EcphT/mofes fuherculatus, Cuv. R^gn, Anim. 2d ed. II, 1829, 47. — Guer. IcoDOgr. 

 R^gn. Anim. 



Agama taraguira, Light. Verz. Doubl. Berl. Mas. 1823, 101. 



Tropklurus tuhercidatiis, Gray, Synops. Rept. in Griff. Anim. Kingd. IX, 1831,42. 



Oplurus torquatns, Schinz. Naturg. u. Abbild. Rept. 18B3, 89. Tab. xxrx, fig. 1. 



EcphT/mofes torquatus, DuM. & BiBR. Erpet. gen. IV, 1837, 344. 



Tarajuira turquata, Gray, Catal. Lizz. Brit. Mus. 1845, 220. 



Desoe. — The head is depressed, rather broad behind, and, when 

 seen from above, appears subtriangular. The occipital region is some- 

 what depressed, whilst the snout is dechvous forwards, though convex. 

 The cephalic plates are small, unequal, polygonal, and smooth, or 

 nearly so, there being numerous punctures over their surface ; they 

 are slightly larger upon the frontal region than on the nasal and 

 interocular regions, and smallest upon the occipital region, with the 

 exception of the occipital plate, properly so called, which is well deve- 

 loped, subpyriform, or polygonal. Two curvilinear series occupy the 

 interocular region, proceeding from the posterior edge of the orbit, and 

 losing themselves upon the frontal region. Upon the supraocular 

 region, we observe two curvilinear series, an internal one, composed 

 of very small plates, and a second series, of nine transversely elongated 

 ones, of moderate size, and subhexagonal in shape. The area inclosed 

 by the latter series and the supraciliaries exhibits five longitudinal 

 series of much smaller plates, decreasing in size outwardly, smallest 

 upon their contiguity with the supraciliaries which are six in number : 

 the five anterior imbricated, diminishing in size posteriorly. The auri- 

 cular aperture is of moderate size, vertically subelliptical, bordered ante- 

 riorly by seven spear-shaped, slender scales, simulating a serrated edge. 

 The temporal region is covered with subrhombic, slightly keeled 

 scales. The nasal plates are quite conspicuous, contiguous to the 

 rostral, being situated immediately above the phrenal ridge : the 

 nostril, which perforates their posterior portion, is directed outwardly 

 backwards. The rostral is transversely elongated, convex above, and 

 depressed. The phrenal ridge is composed of three plates : the ante- 

 rior one being situated under the nasal, and separated from the labials 

 by the supralabials. The phrenic region itself is protected by a few 

 irregular plates of moderate size. The suborbital ridge is formed by 

 four plates : the anterior one being quite small; the second very long, 

 occupying most of the inferior rim of the orbit, whilst the two poste- 

 rior are so small as to be scarcely distinguishable from the scales of 



