88 
F. Stoliczka — On Indian Lizards. 
[No. 1, 
On the lower side of the body I find constantly only six longitudinal 
rows of scales on the chest between the axils, one ridge connects the axil 
with the groin at the edge of the belly and above this follow always two, 
only in very old specimens sometimes three, shorter rows of enlarged keeled 
scales. Thus there are on the lower half of the circumference of the body, 
strictly speaking, 12 series of longitudinal rows of enlarged scales, 6 on the 
lower side of the belly and 3 (rarely 4) on each side of it. Dum. and Bibron 
correctly refer to the “ six series longitudinales” along the lower side of the 
belly, and besides to the enlarged scales on the flanks, not, however, defining 
their exact number, most likely because they found them to be variable. 
Dum. and Bibron’s statement cannot, therefore, be attributed to a probable 
misprint, as suggested by Dr. Gunther (1. cit., p. 69). 
The coloration and size and proportions of the Sikkim specimens exact- 
ly correspond with those of sexlineatus. Some have a white iridescent 
stripe along the edge of the back ; others are uniform green above, with a 
more or less distinct bronze tint. The fore-limb reaches to the rostral and 
the hind-limb nearly, or exactly to the axil, when laid forward. Of all the 
specimens examined, there is only one with two inguinal pores on each side, 
several have 3, but most 4 or 5 pairs, often succeeded by a sixth imperfectly 
developed one. 
What follows from these observations is : 
Is#.— That the Tachydromi canno.t be grouped with sufficient reliance, 
either by the number of chin-shields, or by the number of inguinal pores, as 
suggested by Dr. Gunther, these two characters being evidently very variable 
within the limits of one species ; and that the most important difference 
must rest in the number and size of the scales of the body, the proportions 
of the limbs and the general form. 
2nd . — That the specific distinction between T. meridionalis and sexli- 
neatus is not so definite, as it would appear to be from Gunther’s descrip- 
tion of the former species. Both appear to have an indistinct short fold 
before the shoulder, when adult, but in meridionalis there are said to be 2 or 
3 more transverse rows of scales between axil and groin, and the limbs would 
seem to be slightly shorter. Whether these points represent sufficiently 
characteristic distinctions, can only be shewn by the examination of a larger 
number of specimens. 
3rd . — That T. Hauglitonianus (Jerdon, Proc. A. Soc. B., Feb. 1870, 
p. 72) must range with Gunther’s septemtriomlis (and not with T. Japonicus), 
and as the number of chin-shields is not characteristic, the two are evidently 
closely allied, but in the former the median row of dorsal scales is not smaller 
than the lateral ones ; the fore limb does not reach the rostral shield, when 
laid forward, nor the hind-limb the axil. 
