VARANUS. 



161 



is fixed to the inner side of the jaws ; palate toothless. No dermal 

 ossifications on the head or body. Clavicle slender, not dilated ; 

 interclavicle anchor -shaped. Tongue smooth, very long and slender, 

 bifid, retractile into a sheath at the base. Pupil round ; eyelids 



Fig. 49. Pectoral arch of Varanus griseus. 



cl. Clavicle. 

 st. Sternum. 



cor. Coracoid. 

 e.cor. Epicoracoid. 



icl. Intel-clavicle. 

 sc. Scapula. 



well developed ; ear distinct. Limbs well developed, strong ; neck 

 long ; tail long, cylindrical or compressed. Head covered with 

 small polygonal scales. Dorsal scales roundish, juxtaposed, sur- 

 rounded by rings of minute granules ; ventral scales squarish, 

 arranged in cross rows. No femoral or praeanal pores. 



Lizards of large size, carnivorous, terrestrial or aquatic. The 

 yellowish-grey Varanus griseus is essentially a desert Lizard ; V. 

 salvator and V. niloticus, with their strongly compressed tails, well 

 deserve the name of ' Water Lizards ; ' whilst the Papuan 

 emerald-green V. prasinus is believed to be arboreal. Eggs oval 

 and soft -shelled. 



A single genus. 



Genus VARANUS, 

 Menem, Tent. Syst. Amph. p. 68, 1820. 



Of this genus 27 species are known, inhabiting Africa, Southern 

 Asia, Papuasia, and Australia. They are known in English as 

 Monitors ; and are called yho-samp in Northern India ; the young 

 are often called biscobra, and are regarded as venomous, probably 

 on account of their having a forked tongue 



