BRACHYMELES 245 



axilla-to-groin distance an average of only three and a quarter 

 times), it is seen that the relative length of the body (axilla- 

 to-groin distance) increases, and the length and development 

 of the limbs decrease, proportionately, in each species of the 

 series. Thus in B. gracilis the hind leg is contained in the 

 axilla-to-groin distance an average of three and six-tenths times ; 

 in B. bicolor, seven times ; in B. elerse, nine and six-tenths times ; 

 in B, honitse and B, burksi, more than twenty-five times. 



Four of the species are pentadactyl, one is tetradactyl, two 

 have stumplike limbs with digits wanting, and one is legless. 

 The genus is strictly Philippine, so far as is known. As yet 

 no specimen has been taken in Palawan and the Calamian 

 Islands. Due to the fact that the species are burrowing, they 

 have remained but little known. It is highly probable that 

 other intergrading species occur in the Islands, which will be 

 found later. 



Key to the Philippine species of Brachymeles Dumeril and BihroTi. 



a'. Leffs pentadactyl. 



6\ Length of hind leg contained three to five times in distance between 

 axilla and groin. 

 c\ Second pair of chin shields broader than first, separated by one 

 scale, 

 (f. Hind leg in axilla-to-groin distance three to four times; auricular 



opening and eye well developed B. boulengeri sp. nov. (p. 246). 



d\ Hind leg in axilla-to-groin distance four to five times; auricular 



opening minute; eye very small B. gracilis (Fischer) (p. 247). 



c\ First pair of chin shields broader than second, in contact or sep- 

 arated; hind leg in axilla-to-groin distance three to four times; 

 auricular opening and eye well developed. 



B. schadenberg'i (Fischer) (p. 249). 

 6^ Length of hind leg in axilla-to-groin distance about seven times; 

 first pair of chin shields broadest; largest species. 



B. bicolor (Gray) (p. 251). 

 a*. Legs tetradactyl; length of hind leg in axilla-to-groin distance nine to 

 ten times; second pair of chin shields broadest. 



B. elerae Taylor (p. 254). 

 a^ Legs stumplike, digits wanting; legs contained in axilla-to-groin distance 

 twenty-five, or more times. 

 6\ Second pair of chin shields broadest, separated by a single scale. 



B. burksi Taylor (p. 255). 

 h^. First pair of chin shields broadest; second pair separated by three 



scales B. bonitse Dumeril and Bibron (p. 256). 



a*. Legs wanting; similar in form to the two preceding species. 



B. vermis Taylor (p. 258). 



