Malayan Peninsula and Islands. -43 



with the bulky appearance of the parts in a state of repose,) resembling 

 the hood of Naja. The transversal diameter of the disk across 

 axilla and the inguinal region is 1 1 inch ; across the centre 2f 

 inches. Like the mechanism of the Genus Draco, the membranes 

 are expanded by means of the very long six anterior pairs of spurious 

 ribs, which the lizard has the power of moving forward under a right 

 angle with the vertebral column. The six posterior ones are excessively 

 short, and though equally moveable, do not appear materially to assist 

 in expanding the membranes. The latter are used as a parachute in 

 leaping from branch to branch, after which they immediately resume 

 their state of repose. Sudden fear, or anger will also cause a momentary 

 expansion. The femoral pores are situated on a scries of rather large 

 rhombic scales on each thigh. In a number of twelve adult individuals, 

 the pores varied from 13 to 19 on each thigh. In the specimens in 

 the Paris Museum, described by M. M. Dumeril and Bibron, there are 

 from 20 to 2-1 on each thigh. 



This species appears to be numerous, but local. Twelve were at one 

 time obtained from a spice plantation in province Wellesley, some of 

 which were in the act of changing the integuments. They were very 

 active and swift, more so than their rather heavy make would induce to 

 believe, and they would bite and scratch when handled, although among 

 themselves in a spacious cage, they appeared peaceable, and patiently 

 submitted to being trodden, or run over by a neighbour, about ascending 

 the perch. The Malay, who brought the lizards, asserted they were frugi- 

 vorous, and might be fed with soft fruit and boiled rice, which was 

 perfectly true. In one immediately examined, the stomach and intes- 

 tines contained rounded seeds of various kinds from the smallest size 

 to that of a large pea, and vegetable fibres.* 



The rest refused insects and different kinds of fruit, but duri112the.se- 

 vera! months' confinement each would daily eat a little boiled rice, and oc- 

 casionally take water. Of these none exceeded the following dimension- : 



Length of the head, ft. l^inch. 



Ditto ditto trunk, 4| 



Ditto ditto tail, 1 o" 



Entire length, 1 foot 5finch. 

 I he latter, however, as well as sand and fragments ol stones, also occur in caini\, - 

 rous and insectivorous lizards, a^ well as serpents, which swallow these substances to 

 timulate digestion. 



