South African Agamas allied to Agama hispida and A. atra. 
275 
spinose scales ; mid-dorsal scales larger, feebly or more or less strongly keeled, 
passing generally into tlie much smaller laterals, which are strongly keeled 
and mucronate, Avith the keels pointing outwards instead of inwards ; groups 
of short spines on the neck and near the ear ; a very feeble marked nuchal 
crest, but no dorsal crest whatever. Upper head-scales not very unequal, 
smooth or obtusely keeled ; occipital feebly enlarged, exceptionally not at 
all; 12 to 16 scales across the head from one superciliary series to the other; 
12 to 16 upper labials on each side ; 2 to 4 series of scales between the 
upper labials and the nasal. Grular and ventral scales perfectly smooth, not 
mucronate. Scales on upper surface of tibia equal or subequal. Scale at 
the base of the claw, on the dorsal surface of the toes, uni- or tricarinate, 
and much longer than the others ; 16 to 22 scales under the third or fourth 
toe, in a longitudinal series ; the tips of the keels often dark brown or black. 
Caudal scales strongly keeled and mucronate, sometimes denticulated, the 
lower sometimes smooth or feebly keeled, in males often forming more or 
less distinct segments of 3 or 4 whorls ; a more or less developed vertebral 
crest in males, originating some distance from the base. Scales on upper 
surface of tibia equal. 
Male with a single row of large preanal pores. 
Coloration. — Olive-grey, brown, or reddish brown above, with blackish 
spots or dots, or with numerous small ocellar spots with yellowish centres ; 
sometimes a yellow or orange vertebral stripe, which may be interrupted ; 
cheeks blue in males ; throat and anterior part of belly dark blue in males, 
throat sometimes with a black network ; sides of belly sometimes vermilion 
red in males ; lower parts white in females, throat usually with bluish longi- 
tudinal lines or network.* In a few specimens from the Transvaal these 
throat lines were a bright pink and extended to the vent, forming a network 
on the abdomen. 
In addition to the above-described strictly typical individuals, we now 
include under Agama atra sensu stricto individuals with still smaller scales 
(150 to 160 round middle of body), not intermixed with enlarged spinose 
scales, for which the name A. micro pliolis has been proposed by Matschie, 
Zool. Jahrb. Syst., v, 1890, p. 607, and A. microterolepis by Boulenger, 
Ann. and Mag. KH. (6), xvii, 1896, p. 22. The types of both of these 
supposed species are from the Transvaal, but similar individuals occur near 
Kiniberley along with others which show so complete a passage towards 
the true A. atra as to render the retention of A. micropliolis even as a 
variety inadvisable. 
Agama lioluhi, Bocage, Jorn. Sc. Lisb. (2), iv, 1896, p. 115, from the 
Modder Eiver, of which A. pulchella, Bocage, I.e., p. 116, appears to be a 
* The coloration of some breeding males is very brilliant, the back showing 
varying shades of pink, the sides of the body reddish brown or purple, the lower parts 
a gloAvino- ultramarine blue, the tail a rich lemon yellow. 
