HYDROSAURUS SALVATOR. 67 



compressed, of moderate strength, and not denticulated. A series of broad, enlarged shields 

 runs along the middle of the superciliary region, which otherwise is covered with small 

 scales. Scales of the neck and back with an obtuse keel ; those of the belly smooth, in 80 

 transverse series between the gular fold and the loin. Greenish- or brownish-olive, irre- 

 gularly marbled and dotted with yellowish and black. Nape of the neck with traces of two 

 pairs of blackish bands, convergent behind, the anterior band proceeding from the eye. 

 Young specimens have these bands very distinct, and the body ornamented with numerous 

 white, black-edged ocelli. 



The largest specimen which I have seen is 3^ feet long, the tail being longer than the 

 body. This species is found in Bengal and Siam, but not in Java as stated by Bibron ; 

 perhaps near Pinang. 



HYDROSxiURUS, Wagl 



This genus differs from Varanus only in its nostrils, which are a more or less rounded 

 opening near the extremity of the snout. 



Only one species is known to inhabit the East Indian continent ; it is named — 



Hydeosaukus salvatoe. The Ocellated Water Lizard. (Plate IX. fig. E.) 



Stellio salvator, Laur. Syn. Rept. p. 56. 



Tupinambis bivittatus, Kuhl, Beitr. Zool. p. 125. 



Monitor elegans^ Gray, Zool. Journ. iii. p. 225. 



Yaranus vittatus, Less, in Belang. Voy. Ind. Orient., Rept. p. 307. 



bivittatus, Dum. .Sf Bibr. Erpet. gen. iii. p. 486. 



Hydrosaurus salvator, Gray, Lizards, p. 13. 



Varanus salvator, Cantor, Catal. Mai. Rept. p. 29. 



Monitor bivittatus, Schleg. Abbild. p. 76. tab. 21, & tab. 23. figs. 1, 2. 



The toes are as long as in the long-toed Varani, and armed with sharp claws of moderate 

 size. The teeth are strong, slightly compressed and curved backwards, not serrated. A 

 series of broad, enlarged shields covers the inner half of the superciliary region. Scales of 

 the neck and back with a very obtuse keel ; those of the belly smooth, in 90 transverse 

 series between the gular fold and the loin. Dark brown above, with transverse series of 

 round white spots ; snout with three or four white cross bands ; a dark-brown streak runs 

 from the eye to the neck ; throat and sometimes the belly with irregular dark-brown trans- 

 verse streaks ; tail with white rings. All these markings become more and more obscure 

 with advancing age, and, finally, may disappear entirely. 



This species is an inhabitant of the islands of the East Indian Archipelago ; the British 



k2 



