ON A LARGE VARANUS SPECIES FROM THE 

 ISLAND OF KOMODO. 



BY 



P. A. OUWENS. 



Through the kind introduction bij Captain W. L. Einthoven, 

 in December 1910, 1 entered into correspondence with Mr. J. K. H. 

 VAN Steyn van Hensbroek, Ist Lieutenant of Infantry, who 

 served as Civil Administrater at Reo (Island of Flores). 



The latter mentioned, that lie had received information from 

 the inhabitants of that island, that in the neighbourhood of 

 Laboean Badjo, and on the island of Komodo occured a Yaranus 

 species of an unusual size. They called the animal ,,Boeaja 

 darat" (land crocodile). His curiosity having been aroused by 

 thèse reports, lie resolved to collect some particulars concerning 

 thèse animais and to obtain a spécimen if possible, as soon as 

 he should be on duty in the island of Komodo. 



On his arrivai in the island he was provided with the 

 necessary data by Mr. Kock and Mr. Aldegon a.o., members of 

 the pearling fleet, stationed at Komodo, and both of them keen 

 hunters. They informed Mr. van Steyn van Hensbroek, that 

 thèse animais may even attain a length of 6 to 7 meters. In 

 the beginning of his sojourn in Komodo, Mr. Aldegon shot a 

 few spécimens of that size. ^ince the island has been more 

 frequented, the animais hâve withdrawn to the mountains. They 

 hve, so he says, exclusively on land, wliere they make great 

 holes under the stones and rocks, in which they always remain 

 at night. Their feet are fairly long, and in spite of their awkward 

 build, they can. move with great rapidity. 



In walking, they do not touch the ground, neither with the 

 chest nor with the belly. They walk on the balls of the feet, 

 as may be clearly seen by the callosities on them, as well as 

 by their footprints. The neçk is rather long and extraordinarily 

 mobile. The animal can move its liead in every direction, and 



