BU CEPH A LU S C A PEN SIS. VarA
(Reptili.a_Pla.te 11!)
V a r ie t y A.—Plate XI.
Bucephalus Belli, Smithy Zoological Journal, vol. iv. p. 442.
C o lou r .—The upper parts of the head greenish black, variegated with
yellow spots and waved angular lines,* the lateral parts yellow or greenish
yellow. The back, the sides of the body, and the upper and lateral parts of
the tail blackish green, or greenish black, the two first crossed with narrow
irregular greenish yellow lines, one line to each row of scales; and formed
of a series of small oval spots, one of which exists near the centre of each
scale. On the tail, instead of transverse lines, there are a series of irregularly
disposed yellow spots, one toward the centre of each scale, generally larger
than those which exist upon the scales of the body. The abdominal plates
are of a greenish yellow colour, and each is marked near to its hinder
edge by a narrow transverse greenish black line, immediately before which,
in many individuals, there is a whitish one with a mother-of-pearl tint.
Subcaudal scales greenish yellow, narrowly edged with greenish black. Eyes
silvery grey, grass-green, or clear brown. The depth of the ground-colour
varies considerably in different specimens of this variety, as does also the
tint of the light markings; in some, the former colour approaches to olive-
green, or even grass-green.
F orm, &c.—The figure of the head and body, and the appearances of the
scales and character of the skin the same as particularized in the description
of Plate X. The following are the measurements, &c. of four specimens of
this variety
SEX OF LENGTH FROM NOSE LENGTH OF ABDOMINAL SUBCAUDAL.
SPECIMEN. TO BASE OF TAIL. TAIL. PLATES. SCALES.
Ft. i§ji Ft. In. No. No.
Male 3 5^ 1 H 137 117-117
Male 3 2 1 2f 191 117-117
Male 3 3 1 3 177 125-125
Female 2 4 1 0 184 125-125
The Female is coloured nearly as the male.
* In many specimens of this variety the upper surface of the head is yellow, or greenish yellow,
mottled with greenish black spots or lines.
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