Annals of the Tbansvaal Museum. 
29 
Description of a New Species of Platysaurus and Notes on the 
Specific Characters of certain Species of Zonuridae, together 
with Synoptical Keys to all the known South African Species 
and a resume of our Knowledge on their Distribution : and 
a Key to the known Genera of South African Lizards. 
By John Hewitt, B.A. (Cantab.), Assistant for Lower Vertebrates. 
Platysaurus wilhelmi, n. sp. 
Distinct from tbe other species of Platysaurus in the more 
heterogeneous lepidosis of the dorsal surface, in the character of its 
occipital scute, and in the shape of the head which is relatively broader 
than in P. guttatus . 
Occipital of moderate size reaching the interparietal and forming 
with it a comparatively broad suture in front ; a single row of enlarged 
gular, scales. Dorsal scales of the body varying considerably in size, 
being largest along the three white lines of the female and in 
corresponding areas in the male, but more especially in the posterior 
mid-dorsal region, the smaller scales of the intermediate areas being 
much intermixed with granules. 
Ventral scales in eighteen to twenty rows, not transversely 
elongated in the abdominal region or only slightly so. 
Lateral scales with rather prominent tubercles. Scales on arm, 
forearm, and anterior surface of thigh keeled, more strongly so on 
the leg. Coloration similar to that of P. guttatus, excepting that 
the pale lateral lines of the female are narrower and more clearly 
defined; also the white spots of the dorsal surface are less numerous 
and more regularly arranged, forming one or two rows on each side 
of the mid-dorsal line ; the entire ventral surface of the male is black 
and the dorsal surface is dull, tinged with green, and marked with 
ill-defined black spots, the tail being red. 
The types are a male and a female collected by Mr. Percy 
Wilhelm at Nelspruit, Barberton District, and presented to the 
Transvaal Museum, November, 1907. The male is 194 mm. in total 
length, the tail being 112 mm. ; the total length of the female is 
184 mm., its tail being 118 mm. Length of head, in male 19*5 mm., 
in female 16 mm. ; breadth of head, in male 16'6 mm., in female 
12' 7 mm. 
Since the above description was written I have seen three other 
specimens .of this species kindly sent to me by Dr. E. Warren, 
Director of Natal Government Museum; these come from Ubombo, 
Zululand, and they agree in all essential respects with the Nelspruit 
specimens. 
Platysaurus guttatus Smith. 
The Transvaal Museum has numerous specimens of a species of 
Platysaurus from Woodbush and from Dwas Biver, neighbouring 
