380 SAURIA. 



SLipraciliarv ridge. As many as ten, mayhap twelve, quite small 

 plates may be observed upon the intern asal region. There are eight 

 frontal plates, grouped around a ninth, larger one. The vertex plate 

 (interocular of some authors), is transversely divided posterior to the 

 middle of its length. Its general form is obtusely hexagonal, much 

 broader anteriorly than posteriorly. The occipital is the largest of 

 the cephalic plates; it is rounded behind, angular in front, and having, 

 on each side, a series of three conspicuous plates, the foremost of which 

 being in contact with the vertex plate. There are but six transversely 

 dilated supraoculars, forming a semi-crescentic series, at the concavity 

 of which are to be observed four or five quite small plates. A series 

 of five very small plates exist between the latter and the occipitals, 

 extending from the vertex plate towards the posterior rim of the orbit. 

 Two other small supraoculars may be observed alongside the frontals. 

 The supraciliary ridge is conspicuously developed, and composed of 

 six plates, the three posterior of which being elongated and imbri- 

 cated. The labial plates are quadrangular or pentagonal, elongated, 

 very narrow, five or six on either side, on the upper as well as lower 

 jaws. There are two series of supralabials, somewhat smaller than 

 the labials, whilst one series only of infralabials is observed. The 

 mental shields, four in number, on either side, are of moderate deve- 

 lopment, diminishing gradually in size posteriorly. The symphyseal 

 plate is as large as the anterior mental shield. 



The auricular aperture is large, ovate, and oblique, provided, upon 

 its anterior margin, with rather elongated scales, giving it a serrated 

 appearance. The temporal scales are rather broader than long, slightly 

 keeled, and obtuse posteriorly, the keels not stretching beyond their 

 margin. The fold of the neck overhangs a rather deep cavity, inte- 

 riorly lined with very minute scales, whilst very prominent ones may 

 be observed upon the outer aspect of that fold. 



The neck and the body, both, are quite depressed ; the back, how- 

 ever, is slightly convex, whilst the belly is flat. 



The tail is generally one-third or one-fourth longer than the body 

 and head combined, thick, broad, and depressed at the base ; it is, on 

 the other hand, slender and conical posteriorly, and tapering into a 

 point. 



The fore-limbs, when bent backwards alongside the body, do not 

 reach the groins, whilst the hind ones, directed for wards,, will extend 

 as far as the auricular aperture. 



