SPHENOMORPHUS 177 



at first be inclined to refer it to the same species. It differs, 

 however, in several important characters. The ear-opening is 

 much larger and oval, nearly two-thirds the size of the eye- 

 opening. The rostral forms a much broader suture 

 with the f ronto-nasal ; the frontal is slightly longer 

 than the fronto-parietal. The body is shorter, the 

 distance between the end of the snout and the fore 

 limb once and one-fourth to once and one-third in 

 the distance between axilla and groin. The length fig. 21. sphe- 

 of the hind limb equals the distance between the 7iomorphus 

 nostril and the fore limb. There are 36 scales round (BoVirnLer)^ 

 the middle of the body. The tail tapers gradually after Bouien- 

 from the base. As stated above, the coloration is d^rsai' view- 

 much the same as in L. luzonense; there are, however, enlarged. 

 no other dark spots on the back but those forming the inter- 

 rupted vertebral line; a well-defined dark brown streak, con- 

 tinued as a dorso-lateral line, extends along each side of the 

 head and neck, passing through the eye, and the temple and 

 neck below it are white." 



Measurements of Sphenomorphiis decipiens (Boulenger). 



mm. 



Total length . 80 



Head length 9 



Head width 5 



Body 26 



Foreleg 10 



Hind leg 12 



Tail 45 



''Both this species and the preceding [L. luzonense] connect 

 the sections Hinulia and Homolepida, but should be referred to 

 the former, as defined by me.^" 



''Two specimens were obtained by Mr. Whitehead on Isabella 

 [sic], N. E. Luzon." 



This species is one of the group of closely related small Phil- 

 ippine skinks. I have been unable to obtain any specimens 

 which are referable to this form. Only the two type specimens 

 are known. 



SPHENOMORPHUS BIPARIETALIS Taylor 



Sphenomorphus biparietalis Taylor, Philip. Journ. Sci. § D 13 (1918) 

 249. 



" Through an oversight, the section Hinulia is stated in my Catalogue 

 to be characterized by distinct frontoparietals; L. acutum forms an ex- 

 ception in having these shields fused. [Boulenger's footnote 1.] 

 161466 12 



