CORDYLUS FASCIATUS.
lower lip also six, the last two strongly keeled. The scales on the back and
sides of the neck, and those along the middle of the back small and granular;
those on the sides of the back and on the sides of the body considerably
larger, and each with a small homy tubercle near its centre, which also
exists on each of those of the neck and middle of the back ;la ll the scales
are disposed in transverse rows, the rows on the neck less distinct than
those on the body. Scales covering the fore-legs, except beneath towards the
body, and thoseon the upper surface of hinder legs somewhat diamond-shaped,
each carinated, and the carina elongated posteriorly and forms an acute
raised spine; under surface of hinder legs coated with smooth, moderately-
large, somewhat quadrangular scales, and the hinder surface with granular
ones. Tail covered with hard ragged scales, disposed in distinct rings,
and each ring composed of two rows of scales; the scales of the first, or
basal row, smallest, and but slightly carinated, those of the other strongly
carinated, and on the upper angles and sides of the tail particularly, the
keels are very prominent posteriorly, and form strong sharp spines. Scales
between rami of lower jaw small, flat, quadrangular, and disposed in longitudinal
rows; on the under surface of the neck subovate, imbricate, and
arranged in oblique rows. The plates covering the under surface of body
are placed in transverse rows, fourteen in each. Pre-anal space covered with
flat irregular-shaped scales, the hindermost ones the largest; the base of the
tail on each side close to anus, armed with a pointed tubercular scale projecting
outwards, and differing in character from those which follow it. Feet
moderately large; toes long and slender, and each armed with a short pointed
and curved nail; scales covering under surface of feet small and tubercular.
Femoral pores in two or more rows rather irregularly placed, and their sheathes
elevated and warty (Plate XXX. fig. 5 b>., The largest specimen which I have
seen—the one described—measured nine inches and a half in length.
Doubts may be entertained of the propriety of regarding this as distinct from Cordylus
Microlepidotus; yet, when the scales of the neck and centre of the back are examined, and
contrasted with those on the same parts of the species just named, sufficient differences are
observable to justify my regarding them at present as probably distinct. Dumeril and Bibron
regard them as identical,* and it is j ust possible they may have had an opportunity of examining
a greater number of specimens than I have had, and hence have arrived at a just conclusion.
Two of the three'specimens I have examined were obtained on the rocky hills in the neighbourhood
of Graham’s Town; and the third, which is in the Museum at Fort Pitt, was, I believe,
obtained from the same locality. Having never seen a specimen alive, I know nothing of its
habits.
Erpétologie Général, tom. v. p. 363.
CORDYLUS (HEMICORDYLÜS) CAPENSIS.—S m it h ,
R e p t il ia . P late XXYII. F ig . 2,
C. capite, dorso, lateribus, extremitatibus caudâque supernè profonde purpureo-brunneis ; gutture, pectore,
ventre caudâque interne brunneo-rubris ; pedibus infeme-pallidiflavo-brunneis ; squamis dorsi mag-
nis quadrangularibus et carinatis, laterum parvis granulosis.
Longitudo e naso ad basin caudæ 4 une. ; caudæ 5 une. 9 lin.
Hemicordylus Capensis, Smith, Magazine of Natural History, vol. 2. p. 32.
Zonurus Capensis, Dum. etBib. Erpet. Général, tom. v. p. 360.
C o i.oür.—The head, back, sides, extremities, and upper and lateral parts
of tail purplish brown ; throat, breast, belly, and under surface of tail dull
brownish red ; under surface of feet pale yellowish brown.
F orm, !&c.—Head subtriangular, the anterior half tapered to the nose,
which is: slightly rounded or obtuse, its upper surface slightly convex, its
sides anteriorly pérpendicular, posteriorly convex and bulged. Neck considerably
narrower than the hind-head with the skin covering it loose, and
forming a large longitudinal fold on each side, extending from the angle of
the jaws nearly to the fore-leg. Body subovate and depressed. Tail thick
at the base and depressed, towards the point cylindrical and tapering. The
plates covering the upper surface of the head smooth, and with well-defined
edges, the form of each represented in Plate XXX. Fig. 6, ; labial scales
of upper jaw eight, of lower jaw six, exclusive of the rostral and mental
plates ; angles of mouth margined with minute almost granular scales.
Scales of the temples rather large and in vertical rows, two or three in each
row, and the lower one of the hindermost row is formed differently to the rest,
being somewhat tubercular, and projected outwards and backwards over the
external ear, (vide Plate XXX. fig. 6 a.) Scales of the back large, quadrangular,
strongly carinated and disposed in transverse rows, generally ten
in each row, the keels forming continuous delicate ridges ; the lateral and