394 S A U R I A. 



Subgenus TAPAYA, Cuv. 



Gen-. Char.— Head moderate or large ; vertex more or less inclined 

 forwards ; snout obtuse or somewhat protruding. Nostrils lateral, 

 situated at the extremity of the supraciliarj ridge. Cephalic plates 

 small or moderate, rugose ; spines short and subconical, sometimes 

 very much attenuated. Lower labials posteriorly large and acumi- 

 nated. Submaxillar shields small and ridged. Mental scales 

 small and equal. Auricular apertures extant, simple or denticu- 

 lated in front. Sides of the neck and throat rumpled. One series 

 of subpyramidal scales at the periphery of the abdomen. Abdomi- 

 nal scales smooth. Coloration : greyish or brownish above, maculated 

 with black; beneath whitish or yellowish, unicolor, or spotted with 

 black. 



SYN.~Taj>ai/es, Cuv. Regn. Anim. II, 1817, 85; 2d ed. IT, 1829, 87: &, ed. illastr. 

 Kept. 53. 



Tapai/ea (Cuv.), Gray, Catal. Lizz. Brit. Mus. 1845, 227. 



Obser7.— The large and depressed head, provided with moderate 

 or diminutive spines, the large posterior lower labials, and the rather . 

 small and uniform gular scales, constitute the most prominent features 

 of this genus. We observe also constantly one series of well-developed 

 pyramidal scales at the periphery of the depressed body ; and, the 

 scales which cover the abdominal region are always smooth. 



'. 1. Tapaya orbicularis, Cuv. 



Spec. Char. — Head rather small, anteriorly declivous ; vertex rather 

 narrow ; tips of the jaws protruding. Cephalic plates moderate. 

 Occipital and temporal spines stout, though moderately elongated. 

 Submaxillar shields small, ridged, largest posteriorly. Auricular 

 apertures minutely serrated anteriorly. Mental scales small and 

 subequal. A conspicuous gular fold, covered with minute scales. 

 Abdominal scales large, subrhomboid, acuminated. Femoral pores 

 distant; series from either side not continuous across the interfemo- 

 ral region. Dark reddish-brown above, with a double or quadruple 



