CORDYLUS CATAPHRACTUS.
and body covered with transverse zones of rugged scales, each scale more or
less distinctly car,nated, and the carince of those of the lateral parts much
prolonged, so as to constitute prominent spines, which on the neck project
direct y outwards, and on the sides of the body outwards and backwards Tail
encircled with rows of rugged keeled scales, the hinder extremity of the keels
very strong, and produced so as to form high triangular spines. The scales of
the fore-legs are somewhat triangular in shape and strongly keeled, the keels
piolonged into spines; those on the under surface smallest; the scales on the.
upper surface of the hinder legs like those on the fore-legs, only larger • those
M l l i l sur&“ large, somewhat quadrangular, and quite smooth ; on
under surface small and smooth; scales between rami of lower jaw small
somewhat quadrangular, and arranged in incomplete transverse rows, the four
scales nearest to the mental plate much the largest; the scales on the throat
rather large, somewhat quadrangular, and placed in arched rows, the convexity
backwards; the scales of the belly are arranged in transverse rows, fourteen
or sixteen in each, and are quadrangular in shape and perfectly smooth
Pre-anal space covered with smooth scales, irregularly shaped and disposed
space immediately behind anus with a transverse band of small H
scales, and on each side the anterior angle of this band is bounded by a
arge solitary prominent and spiny scale. Feet small; toes and claws short
the latter much curved and pointed. Full grown specimens of this species
sometimes measure twelve inches in length, and the tail generally about seven inches long. in those iunssitaanncceess iiss
This species is rather rare in South Africa, and the only specimens which have come under
my notice were obtained on the western coast of. the Colony, towards the Namaqua country
It inhabits rocky precipices, and when disturbed in those localities, it endeavours to conceal
i self ™der masses of stone, or in crevices which may exist in the rock. The remarks which
will be found under Cordylus microlepidotus, will equally apply to this species; indeed it holds
so firmly by means of the prominent spinous scales of the temples and sides, that before-it can
be extricated from its retreats, it is often necessary to displace the masses of stones between
which it may have insinuated itself.