HEMIDACTYLUS CAPENSIS. 
rather longer ; the innermost toe of the hinder feet also rudimentary, as 
in the fore feet, the third is considerably longer than the second, the fourth 
longer than the third, and the fifth, or hindermost, which is apart from the 
others, is not quite so long as the fourth. Each of the toes is armed with a 
sharp curved claw, placed in the eight fully developed ones, on the distal end 
of the last joint, which is slender and compressed, as in the Hemitlactyli. 
Posterior to this joint these toes are depressed, and for some way towards the 
base considerably enlarged laterally. The under surface, where the dilation 
is greatest, is coated with six or eight transverse cuticular folds, arranged in 
two series, the one separated from the other by a distinct longitudinal groove ; 
behind those towards the base, there are three series of small scales, those of 
the middle row the largest. The rudimentary toes show no lateral dilation, 
each below has only a single row of short transverse plates ; the upper surface 
of all the toes is covered with small, subovate, imbricate scales. Nasal 
plates subquadrangular, and with the first labial plate, and two small scales, 
form the margin of the nostrils. Plates of upper lip, exclusive of rostral, 
eight, of lower lip, exclusive of mental, the same number ; the first four of 
lower lip large, the others, as well as the last three of the upper lip, small and 
convex. Scales of the head small, circular, and slightly convex; those anterior 
to the eyes largest ; scales of the body and sides small, subtubercular, and 
arranged in rows, slightly oblique, and with the corresponding one of the 
opposite side, form an obtuse angle on the centre line of the back ; under 
surface of thighs with four rows of rather large flat imbricate scales. Scales 
of the upper and lateral surface of the tail rather larger than those on the 
back, imbricate, and arranged in transverse rows, those of the under surface 
six-sided, the smallest towards the base, the others here and there almost 
amount to narrow transverse plates. Submental plates five, one, the largest, 
somewhat quadrangular, situated immediately behind the mental plate ; the 
others, two on each side, one behind the other, and in contact with the labial 
plates. Scales on under surface of head circular, flat, and small, on throat and 
under parts of body moderately large, subhexagonal, approaching circular, 
all imbricate. Length from nose to base of tail, 1 inch 3 lines ; of tail, 
li inch. 
Inhabits Kaffirland, and the districts to the north of the Cape Colony. The specimens 
I procured were discovered under decayed wood 
