144 



Description of new 



been figured, we have endeavoured from the specimen pre- 

 sented to us to supply this desideratum, although we regret 

 to say, we have in a great degree failed. The animal in 

 spirits is of a yellow colour, with dark interrupted streaks 

 along the body, which* is covered with spines. We here 

 quote Mr. Gray's remarks, in which the description of this 

 curious creature will be found under the name above 

 stated : — 



Description of some new Species and four new Genera of Reptiles from 

 Western Australia discovered by John Gould, Esq. By J. E. Gray, 

 Esq., F. R. S., &c. 



To the Editors of the Annals and Mag azine of Natural History. 

 Gentlemen, 



Mr. Gould having kindly placed in my hands the collection of Rep- 

 tiles which he made during his visit to New Holland to gather materials 

 for his ' History of the Birds of Australia,' I have sent you the descrip- 

 tion of the following species, which appear to be new to science. The 

 two new genera are very interesting ; the one, Ronia, being exactly 

 intermediate in organization between the two-legged and the four- 

 legged Seines ; and the other, Moloch, for its extraordinary appearance 

 and grotesque forms. 



I may remark, this collection contains two specimens of Soridia 

 lineata, Gray, which MM. Dumeril and Bibron have accused me of 

 erroneously describing as an Australian animal. (See 1 Erpetologie 

 Generate, v. 787.) I believe that this has arisen from M. Bibron sup- 

 posing all the Reptiles that he saw at the Chatham Museum to be from 

 the Cape of Good Hope ; whereas that collection is very rich in Austra- 

 lasian Reptiles. Chelomeles of MM. Dumeril and Bibron appears to be 

 very nearly allied to Soridia, and should most probably be arranged 

 with it in the family of Rhodonidce. 



Mr. Gould's specimens of Delma having enabled me to examine more 

 minutely the characters of that genus, I am now convinced that it 

 should be referred to the family Pygopidcs. It chiefly differs from the 

 geniis Pygopus in the small size of the rudimentary feet, and in the 

 absence of the pre-anal glands. 



The genus Lialis, which heretofore has been placed with Pygopus, 

 appears to be the type of a new family. It, Delma and Pygopus are all 



