CORDYLtTS (HEMICORDYLUS) CAPENSIS.
upper parts of the neck, and the lower portions of sides covered with small,
somewhat circular, prominent scales like small granulations, constituting a
strong diagnostic character. The upper and anterior surfaces of the extremities
coated with large somewhat diamond-shaped scales, each scale strongly
cavinated, the anterior and under surfaces of the fore-legs towards the body
with small granular scales, and towards the toes with large and smooth
ones ; the under surface of the hinder legs covered with large smooth scales,
excepting in front of the femoral pores, where they are small and somewhat
circular, hinder surface coated with minute granular scales. Tail surrounded
by circles of hard rugged quadrangular scales, each scale strongly keeled and
each keel, especially towards the base of the tail, elongated posteriorly into a
sharp prominent spine, most developed superiorly at the lateral angles ; the
keels of the scales on under surface of tail obtuse, only slightly indicated
and without the elongations which on the upper and lateral parts form spines.
Space between rami of lower jaws covered with scales of two kinds ; those on
the central portion quadrangular, rather large, and disposed in irregular
rows, those at the sides, and which edge the lower jaw, small, and granular.
Scales of the under surface of the neck moderately large, ovate, and irregularly
placed ; the plates on the under parts of the body arranged in regular
transverse rows, eight in each. Pre-anal space covered partly with small and
partly with large scales or plates ; the large ones, which are two in number,
lie immediately over the anus, and are four-sided. Femoral pores small,
prominent, circular, closely set, eighteen in number on each side, and
arranged in a single row, (Plate XXX. fig. 6b.) Feet moderately large; toes
long, slender, and armed with short curved and pointed claws ; the scales of
the under surface of the feet rather prominent, or subgranular. Nostrils small,
circular, and opening laterally in the centre of the naso-rostral plates. The
specimen described, the only one I have seen, measured nine inches and
three quarters.
This species is rarely met with in South Africa, and the only specimen I saw in that
•country, and which is now in the museum of the Army Medical Department, at Fort Pitt,
Chatham, was captured on the Hottentot Holland Mountain, near Cape Town, and preserved by
Mr. Ford, surgeon of the 49t.li Regiment.