REPTILES. 
13 
scales of the back are lozenge-shaped, the carina of moderate height but prolonged into an 
acute point. Amongst those of the sides of the neck and belly are a few which are notched 
at the margin.* The scales of the posterior surface of the thigh are wholly granular. 
The proportions of the limbs vary in the two sexes. In the male they are considerably 
longer than in the female. In the latter the posterior extremity when placed against the side 
extends only to the arm, in the former it reaches to the ear. The ground colour of the back 
is chesnut brown or greenish brown, with a bright metallic green glance in certain lights ; 
there are two light buff longitudinal fasciae running the whole length of the body ; the under 
parts are of a bright metallic blue colour. Mr. Darwin states that in one specimen there were 
emerald spots on the sides, which did not exist in another individual. This may possibly be a 
sexual peculiarity. 
DIMENSIONS OF A MALE SPECIMEN. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of the head 0 6 
of the body 1 9 
of the tail 3 3 
Total length. .. . 5 8 
Length of anterior extremity 1 0 
of posterior extremity 1 5 
Found by Mr. Darwin at Valparaiso, and at Valdivia ; the former is a very 
dry rocky country, with a scanty vegetation ; whereas the latter is nearly level, 
covered with the thickest forest, and the climate exceedingly humid. 
Proctotretus Kingii, N.S. 
Plate VI. — Fig. 1, 2. 
Squamis capitis neque imhricatis nec carinatis ; supralabialibus in serie unicd ; auriiim 
margine anteriore granulosa ; mterdum unidentata ; squamis, dorsalibus carinatis, 
postich acuminatis, femorum facie posteriore prcecijmh granulosa, sed portione pared, 
caudam versus, squamis parvis, rotundatis imbicratis tecta. 
Habitat, Port Desire in Patagonia. 
Description. — General form robust and full; the head short, thick, and passing into the neck with- 
out any distinct contraction ; the muzzle rounded. Scales of the head larger in proportion than 
in Pr. Fitzingerii. Ear large, oval, with the anterior margin granular, sometimes slightly 
toothed. Scales of the temples of moderate size, imbricated, smooth, somewhat raised. A 
single range of oval moderate-sized scales between the labial and the orbital scales on the 
* This is contrary to the character given by M. Bibron, who states that the whole of these are entire. 
