132 
Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 
oblique or almost horizontal slit, or subrotund, or of any form inter- 
mediate between these two. The rostral which is not quite twice as 
broad as deep enters the nostril. The symphysial may be a little larger 
or a little smaller than the adjoining labials : it is about twice as deep as 
broad. Labials Naso-rostrals in contact. The ventral scales are 
flat, sub-imbricate, and. larger than the dorsals : the granules on the snout 
are enlarged, being about as large as or a trifle larger than the granules on 
the middle of the back. The tail is annulate above, a single transverse 
series of about six small tubercles occurring at regular intervals above, 
those at the sides being largest and all being separated by scales : each 
annulus comprises about six rows of scales (this character has not been 
recorded in P. pardus). The scales on the tail above and below are larger 
than those on the body. 
The markings in the adults are variable, but in the young they seem 
to be fairly constant. Thus in the adult stage the head back and flanks 
are generally of a lightish brown colour on which are imposed dark 
Text fig. 15. Figures illustrating the markings in adult, half -grown, and embryo 
specimens of Pachydactylus purcelli, from the Great Karas Mountains. 
irregular blotches : these tend to coalesce on the back, to the extent of 
forming irregular vermiculations or transverse or oblique bars. From the 
nostril to the eye and thence over the ear passes a dark streak which in 
the very young tends to meet its fellow behind the head. 
In the embryo just before hatching or in the very young stage there 
are dorsally five light transverse bars which have irregular dark edges. 
This variation in the markings is made evident in the accompanying 
list ( vide also text fig. 15). 
3088. The dark markings take the form of small blotches which 
tend to coalesce and form irregular cross-bars on the back. The ear- 
opening is subrotund. The tail which has been regenerated is devoid of 
enlarged tubercles. 
3091. The dark markings some of which enclose a light centre take 
the form of irregular blotches : they are smallest on the sides. Ear- 
opening a small oblique slit. Length 37 • 5 -J- 39 mm. 
