358 Reptilia and Amphibia from Central India. [No. 1, 



9. E. [Tiliqua] macttlarius, B 1 y t h, var. 



E. macularius B 1 y t h, J. A. S. B., 1853, Vol. XXII, p. 652. 

 Tiliqua multicarinata^ J e r d o n, J. A. S. B., 1853, Vol. XXII, 

 p. 479, note. — T h e o b a 1 d, Oat. Kept. Mus. As. Soc. Bengal, 

 p. 24, in J. A. S. B. for 18G8, appendix, parti m. 



I obtained a considerable number of specimens of a scink which 

 I have very little hesitation in referring to the above species. It 

 agrees admirably in every character except the number of keels on 

 the scales, which appears to me somewhat variable in both instances. 

 The coloration is identical. I shall proceed first to give a detailed 

 description, and then to point out why I do not think this species 

 can be identified with Scincus multicarinatus of K u h 1, as has been 

 proposed by Mr. Theobald. 



Desc. General form less stout than in E. carinatus. Lower eye- 

 lid scaley. A pair of supranasal shields ; the single pnefrontal 

 meets both the rostral and the vertical, and often forms a rather 

 broad suture, with the first especially ; post-occipitals generally 

 rather short longitudinally, and often ribbed posteriorly ; behind 

 them, as in E. carinatus, are two plates of small longitudinal ex- 

 tent, but nearly equal in breadth to the post-occipitals, and with 

 many keels, usually about nine, upon them. Opening of the ear 

 rather small, slightly granulate in front and below. The fifth up- 

 per labial usually longer than the others, but this character is far 

 from constant, and appears rarely so well marked as in E. carinatus. 

 Scales in 28 longitudinal rows, rarely in 27, 29 or 30, and in 20 to 

 24, generally 22, transverse rows between the axils, those of the 

 back with from five to seven keels each, the prevailing number be- 

 ing five. No enlarged prasanal or subcaudal scales, except (in the 

 latter only) when the tail has been renewed. 



The coloration is nearly as described by B 1 y t h. Upper parts 

 bronze, the hinder part of the back and the anterior portion of the 

 tail usually but not always with a few irregular black spots varying 

 much, both in number and character, in different individuals, and 

 occasionally forming interrupted lines on the tail. Sides darker 

 than the back, especially above, and more or less spotted with 

 white, the sides of the tail near the base with alternating longitud- 

 inal broken lines of dusky and whitish ; hinder parts whitish, or 



