9. - 



so it caii see everything: this is of great use to the créature, 

 as it seems to be remarkably deaf. Mr. Aldegon says, that. if 

 only care is taken, that the animal does not see the hunter, 

 the latter may make as much noise as he pleases, without the 

 animal being aware of his présence. Its deafness is conlirmed 

 by the circumstance, that it only goes ont in the day-time and 

 never at night. They live either singly or in troops. Their 

 food is exclusively of animal nature. 



If Mr. Aldegon shot wild pigs or birds and left them on 

 the ground, they were eaten by the Boeaja darat, which sonie- 

 times fought desperately for the prey. 



The above mentioned notes are according to Mr. van Steyn 

 VAN Hensbroek. 



During the time of his stay in Komodo he was fortunate 

 enough to obtain a spécimen 2.20 M. long, of which he sent me 

 a photograph i) and the skin. 



He further informed me, that he would tr/y to catch a 

 hving animal of larger size, bnt that this would not be so easy, 

 as the inhabitants will not i-un the risk, for the animais not only 

 bite, but keep the natives at a respectful distance by powerful 

 blows with their tails. 



As it was now established. that in Komodo exists a species 

 of Varanus of exceptional dimensions, a native collector of the 

 Zoological Muséum hère, was sent to Mr. van Steyn van 

 Hensbroek in order to tr/y to obtain further spécimens with 

 his assistance. As Mr. van Steyn van Hensbroek was soon 

 transferred to Timor, the collector with the Radja Bitjara (native 

 chief) and the necessary natives and dogs started ont alone, with 

 the resuit that he brought home one animal of 2.90 M., -} one of 

 2.35 M. and two very young ones of about 1 M. The two young 

 spécimens are still alive. 



Final ly according to Mr. van Steyn van Hensbroek, another 

 spécimen of about 4 M. was shot at Ivomodo by Sergeant Beker. 



The collector quite confirms the observations of Mr. Aldegon, 

 regarding deafness and other peculiarities. 



Experiments made hère with the young animais lead to the 

 same conclusion. 



1) Plate I. 



2) „ II. 



