150 [August, 



Varanus olivaceus, nob. 



Char. The head is large, pyramidal, broad posteriorly, slender and some- 

 what obtuse in front; the scales above the orbits are flattened, polygonal, several 

 rows of unequal size, much larger than the rest, and three intermediate between 

 the orbits and in front, still larger ; the largest, however, are situated at the ex- 

 tremity of the snout above, and are placed in two transverse rows ; the scales 

 upon the back part of the head are more uniform in size ; those upon the temples 

 small ; the nostrils are two oblique openings placed about midway between 

 the extremity of the snout and the anterior canthus of the eye, their inferior ex- 

 tremity in a line with the latter ; scales upon neck and body stnall, oval, sur- 

 rounded with two rows of small granules, those upon the back more distinctly 

 carinated, especially in its posterior part towards the tail, where the carinations 

 are strongly developed ; the scales upon the extremities are considerably larger 

 than those upon the body, and likewise carinated, the posterior much more dis- 

 tinctly than the anterior ; scales upon chin and throat smaller than the others, 

 those upon under surface of extremities smooth ; those upon abdomei! slender, 

 quadrangular, two lines in length, and about half a line in breadth, in trans- 

 verse rows; tail circular, much longer than head, neck and body, surrounded 

 with transverse rows of carinated elongate scales, with a slightly developed crest 

 tapering gradually toward the end, where it is somewhat compressed ; extremi- 

 ties well developed ; fingers and toes provided with strong and powerful claws, 

 third and fourth fingers of nearly equal length ; transverse rows of large quad- 

 rangular scales beneath the fingers and toes, 16 rows beneath the second finger, 

 24 beneath the fourth. 



Cloloration. Ground color olive above, lighter below, with obscure dark co- 

 lored spots and markings. 



Dimensions. Length of head 5 inches, (Fr. ;) greatest breadth 3 inches ; length 

 of neck and body 1 foot 9^ inches ; length of tail 3 feet ; of arm 3 inches, of fore- 

 arm 3 inches 4 fines ; of thigh 3| inches ; of legs 3^ inches ; of longest finger, 

 including nail, 3 inches 1 line. Total length 5 feet 2^ inches ; circumference 1 

 foot 5J inches. 



Habitat. Manilla. One specimen presented by Dr. Kane, TJ. S. N. 



Gen. Remarks. The species above described approaches nearest the Hydro- 

 saurus giganteus of Mr. Gray, but is destitute of the transverse rows of ocel- 

 lated spots upon the back, and the spots upon the extremities and tail. In Mr. 

 Gray's species the shields over the orbits are very small and granular, but in the 

 one just described there exist above the orbit several rows of polygonal scales, 

 some of them a line in diameter, succeeded by several larger rows, and between 

 these, four or five rows of bro^d hexagonal plates. 



The Varanidas, divided into two sections by Dumeril and Bibron, the terres- 

 trial and aquatic, the former with a round tail and slightly developed crest, 

 comprise two genera only, viz., Varanus and Heloderma, the former containing 

 twelve, the latter but one species (horridum.) 



None of this family exist in Europe, and but one is found in America, viz., 

 Heloderma horridum, which inhabits Mexico. Of the others, four inhabit Asia, 

 three Africa, and four Oceanica ; of the latter, two New Holland, (Bellii and 

 varius,) onethe Japan Islands, (chlorostigma,) one Timor, (Timoriensis.) In 

 Asia there are four species, viz., Bengalensis, nebulosus, Diardii and bi-vittatus. 

 Three inhabit Africa, viz., arenarius, (Egypt,) niloticus, (Nile, rivers of Cape of 

 Good Hope, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gaboon country,) and ocellatus, (Abys- 

 sinia and Senegal.) With the exception of bi-vittatus and olivaceus, all these 

 have small scales or granulations over the orbits. 



Fam. IGUANID^. 

 Sauriens Eunotes, Dumeril et Bibron. 

 Gen. HoLOTROPis. 

 Char. " Head in the form of a quadrangular pyramid ; cephalic plates of mode- 

 rate size, angular, almost equal ; a very small occipital ; supra-ocular scutella 



