with minute granular scales ; the shape of the other plates uncertain, from the
specimen having been injured by shot. Vide Plate XLVIII. Fig 15 and 15 a.
Plates of upper lip, in front of large infra-orbital plate, five, behind it two, the
hindermost much the smallest; plates of lower lip, not including that of chin,
six; freno-nasal plate quadrangular, freno-ocular large, and considerably
wider behind than before ; disc of lower eyelid consists of two large pellucid
plates. Scales of the back small, subrhomboidal, and arranged in regular
transverse rows, each row forming an obtuse angle at the centre of the back,
and each scale slightly overlapping the one immediately external to it, as
well as the one directly behind it. Scales of the upper surface of the tail
strongly carinated, of the under surface near to the vent, thin, quadrangular,
and -flat, towards the point laterally compressed, and forming two obtuse
keels, between which is a deep longitudinal furrow. Scales of the under surface
of the neck, towards the chin, small, oblong, and subovate, of the posterior
part, towards the breast, larger, somewhat triangular, and imbricate;
antepectoral fold distinct, and formed of twelve small, somewhat quadrangular
plates, the middle ones the largest; plates of the breast quadrangular, and
arranged in irregular waved transverse rows; plates of the belly in nearly
straight transverse rows, ten in the longest, the middle plate smallest and
triangular, the others quadrangular. Preanal plates about fourteen, four in
the hindermost row ; femoral pores eleven or twelve. On the fore leg being
stretched along the side of the neck, the longest toe reaches a little beyond
the point of the nose ; and on the hinder one being extended along the side,
the longest toe touches the angle of the mouth.
Length from the point of the nose to the vent, 1 inch 9 lines; length of the tail, 3 inches.
Inhabits the arid districts on the western coast of Southern Africa, more especially in the
neighbourhood of the Orange River. It is extremely active and very shy, consequently specimens
are procured with difficulty, and I only succeeded, even with the aid of a gun, in obtaining
two, both of which were much injured by the shot.
So far as colours are concerned, this species bears considerable resemblance to Eremias
Knoxii and lineo-ocellata, but the scales of its back being flat and without keels, and its tail
below toward the point being bicarinate, furnish characters by which it is readily to be
distinguished from both.
Reptilici _ f late 48.
H g * 1 4 1M a.E rn raiis A im ulifem Fig.’1 5 fc lfo -K n -u iiu fo rm o sa.