EEPTILIA. 
13 
originally described by Steindacbner from a specimen obtained by Dr. Stoliczka himself 
near Dras in 1865; and the latter mentions in bis diary haying fonnd some of the specimens 
now obtained, those from Chiliscomo, nnder stones in exactly the same place in which he 
procnred the type on his former visit. The specimens described by Dr. Anderson as Cyrtodaety- 
lus yarkcmdensis were brought, with others, by a collector, who accompanied Dr. Henderson 
on the mission which was sent to Yarkand in 1870; this mission traversed precisely the same 
route through Kashmir and Leh as the second in 1873-74, and I do not think there can be 
any reasonable doubt that the real locality whence Cyrtodactylus yarhandensis was obtained 
must have been Ladak, and not Yarkand, because tliis species appears to be replaced in 
Yarkand by the next, and because Dr. Anderson was, I think, similarly misinformed by his 
collector as to the true locality of the Fhnfnoceplialus which he assigned to P. caudivolmlm. 
It is fortunate that Dr. Anderson’s name does not stand, since it has, I think, been given 
under an erroneous idea of the locahty. 
The woodcut in the “ Proceedings of the Zoological Society ” representing this species is 
very poor. Steindachner’s figme is much better. Dr. Anderson’s specimens had lost their 
tails and their epidermis, and he consequently described the upper surface as smoothly granular 
with enlarged scales, none of which are tubercular. As this does not agree with the fresher 
specimens before me, and as the tail is very characteristic, I give a fresh description. Stein- 
dachner’s is in German. 
Description. —Porm moderately stout, head and body depressed, tail usually much 
swollen and depressed at the base and tapering regularly. The fore foot laid forward does not 
quite reach the end of the snout, laid back it extends more than half-way to the thigh, the 
hind leg laid forwards reaches to the axil, or a little beyond it. Surface of the head covered 
with subequal granules, three shields behind the nostril very little larger than the other scales 
of the snout. Eostral large, and with a groove running down the upper part of its surface. 
About ten upper labials on each side, the hinder ones very small; about six lower labials. Mental 
large, triangular, with two (sometimes three) pahs of enlarged chin-shields behind the labials 
Pupil vertical. Ear-opening round and small, but larger than the dorsal tubercles. Back gran¬ 
ular, with scattered, enlarged, convex tubercles (these are wanting in the specimens from 
Kharbu). Upper surface of hmbs granular; occasionally there are a few enlarged tubercles 
on the thigh and tarsus. Scales on the lower surface fiat and hexagonal. No femoral or 
prseanal pores. Claws very small. Tail when perfect ringed, with three enlarged blunt 
tubercles at each side of each ring, the uppermost the smallest; upper surface of the tail 
granular in the middle, lower surface covered with small smooth scales, no enlarged plates. 
When reproduced, the form of the tail is the same, and it is much swollen at the base, but it 
is uniformly granular and not ringed. 
Colour grey, with numerous darker crossbands, slightly wavy and irregular on the back, 
limbs and tail. An adult measures 4 inches in length, tail 2’2. 
The tail is very rarely perfect. Steindachner, however, appears to have been mistaken in 
supposing that of the specimen figured by him to have been reproduced. 
This species seems hitherto to have been found only in the Indus valley in Ladak, 
where it appears to be abundant. 
G. Icmdermms ^ is closely allied, but the tail seems different. 
^ Stoliczka : Jour. As. Soc. Bengal, 1872, sli. Ft. 2, p. lOo. 
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