158 
Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. 
Mabuia occidentalis (Pet.) ; B.M. Cat., III., 196. 
Kyky, Nosob, Lower Molopo, Wildehonde Pan, Grond-Neus (L. W.) 
UpiDgton (Miss Lennox). 
A very large series was collected but no variation whatever is to be 
found in the colour-markings. Not a single specimen of the closely allied 
species trivittata was obtained though it occurs in Great Namaqualand 
and is abundant in the Transvaal ; the two species seem to be sharply 
separated geographically. Apart from the markings, the two may be 
distinguished from the fact that the toes are longer in occidentalis, the 
dorsal scales are not so sharply carinate as in trivittata, and the ear 
lobules are distinct. 
Eaten by the Hottentots and called by them ! ! gt. 
Mabuia varia (Pet.) ; B.M. Cat., III., 202. 
Eldorado and Marandellas (O. A. Kidwell) ; Driekoppen, Hanover 
(A. Smith). 
Mabuia striata (Pet.) ; B.M. Cat., III., 204. 
Marandellas (0. A. Kidwell) ; Francistown (E. M. Daniel) ; Immigrant 
(E. B. Eve) ; Mafeking (A. H. Wallis) ; Kyky, Nosob (L. W.); Kimberley (A. 
Kannemeyer, J. H. Power) ; Eooi Dam, Kimb. (G. Gain) ; Fort Eichmond, 
Herbert (W. H. Wayland). 
In open country they live amongst the stones, but are expert climbers, 
and when pursued will take to the thorn-trees with the confidence of 
squirrels. In the Kalahari they show a special attachment to the 
kameeldoornen [Acacia girajfce). Near towns they have a preference for 
outhouses and human habitations. 
Mabuia sulcata (Pet.) ; B.M. Cat., III., 206. 
Geluk, Gordonia (L. W.) ; Jacobsdal (J. H. Power) ; Kimberley (J. H. 
Power). 
This species is common on the kopjes near Kimberley, living along 
with Zonurus polyzonus and Agama atra : we have never found it on the 
open veld. The Kimberley form is coal-black in the adult males, but only 
striped with black in the females and young. The three Gordonia 
specimens are olive-brown with the merest indication of dorsal striping ; 
ventrally they are quite pale. 
They are very active and alert, especially in the breeding season, 
September to November, when the male may be seen rapidly and 
incessantly bowing his head as he chases the female from rock to rock. 
The young, about four in number, are born four months afterwards ; 
