_Capite brevi, obtuso, depresso, squamis lævibus planis; aurium
margine anteriore bi-tuberculato; squamis temporum imbricatis; colli
granulatis; serie unicâ squamarum supralabialium; squamis dorsi
laxis imbricatis, vix carinatis; facie posteriore femorum omninò
granulosâ. Dorso flavescenti-griseo, signis nigris, in seriebus
quatuor longitudinalibus dispositis._
_Proctotretus signifer_, Bibr. l. c. p. 288.
_Plate 4._
[Illustration:
_Printed by C. Hullmandel._
]
_1._ _Proctotretus_ _signifer._
_2._ _nigromaculatus._
_2a._ _Magnified View._
Head short, depressed, somewhat abruptly deflexed from the vertex—the
scales flat, those of the suprà-orbital arch being numerous, and less
regular than in most other species. Between the labial scales, and the
long infra-orbital plate is a single series of rounded scales.[1] The
scales of the temples are rather large, somewhat rounded, slightly
imbricated, and a few of the posterior ones having the vestige of an
obtuse carina. The ear is rather small, the anterior margin having two
slightly prominent scales towards the lower part.
Footnote 1:
Mons. Bibron states that there are two series, but on examining his
specimen I find a single series only.
The body is depressed; the tail moderately long, thick and slightly
four-sided at the base, becoming much smaller and round towards the
middle. The scales of the sides of the neck are small and granular;
those of the upper parts of the body small, rhomboidal, rounded
posteriorly, loose, much imbricated, and with an extremely low and
inconspicuous carina. They are arranged in about twenty-two
longitudinal series. Those of the sides are larger and quite smooth.
The scales of the whole under part of the throat and belly are
rhomboidal, smooth and much imbricated; a very few towards the sides
of the abdomen are slightly notched at the apex. The under surface of
the anterior and the hinder surface of the posterior extremities are
covered with very fine granular scales; those of the upper surface of
the members being rhomboidal, smooth, but slightly carinated and
obtuse. The tail is covered with small rhomboidal scales which are
considerably imbricated and distinctly carinated. The scales of the
upper surface of the toes are smooth; those on their sides
uni-carinated, and those beneath tri-carinated and broad.
The general colour of the upper parts is a yellowish grey, with black
markings, which have somewhat the character, as Mons. Bibron observes,
of Arabic letters. On the neck and back these markings are disposed in
four longitudinal series; and there are small linear markings on the
upper part of the shoulders and thighs. The tail is similarly marked,
the under parts are whitish, with brown lines and spots.
DIMENSIONS.
Inches. Lines.
Length of the head 0 6
of the body 1 5
of the tail 3 0
────────────────────────────────────────────
Total length 5 1
Length of anterior extremity 0 8
of posterior extremity 1 2
This species is not found amongst the reptiles obtained by Mr. Darwin,
but as it has never been figured, it appeared very desirable that this
opportunity should not be lost. I am indebted to the great kindness of
my friend M. Bibron for the loan of the only specimen which I have seen,
and from which the accompanying figure is taken. It formed part of the
zoological collections obtained by Mons. D’Orbigny for the French
Museum.