VARANUS ALBOGULARIS. 



former oval, on the latter circular. On the nape and upper part of the neck the 

 scales of a larger size than on any other part of the animal, and are besides 

 more raised, with the granulations surrounding the discs very distinct. 

 On the back and sides, the scales are disposed in waved transverse bands, 

 and only differ from those of the neck in being of smaller size and less 

 convex ; on the tail they are arranged in regular rings ; towards its base 

 oval, and more or less completely margined by granulations ; towards the tip 

 oblong, subcarinated and almost without any edging. On the chin, throat, 

 and sides of the neck, the scales are small and oval ; on the breast somewhat 

 circular, on the belly oval, in transverse rows, and only margined behind 

 by granulations ; on the outer and anterior sides of the limbs towards the 

 body, they are oblong ; towards the toes somewhat circular ; all surrounded 

 by granulations ;^on the inner sides again they are smaller and nearly circular. 

 The inner toe of hinder foot very short and robust ; the outer one much 

 removed from the rest ; on the fore foot the inner toe is shorter than any of 

 the others, but longer than the corresponding one of the hinder foot. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Inches. Liaes. 

 Distance between the fore and the 



hinder legs 7 



Length of tlie fore legs to the apex of 



the nail of the longest toe... 4 9 

 of the hinder leg to ditto 5 G 



The female, as regards external appearances, differs but little from the male. 



Though no specimens of this species were obtained south of Latakoo, yet there is reason to 

 believe it occasionally occurs within the hmits of the Cape Colony ; it is, in all proba- 

 bility, the animal which is called the Das adder by the colonists, and which is so much 

 dreaded under an idea of its being extremely venomous. It is usually discovered in rocky pre- 

 cipices, or on low stony hills, and when surprised seeks concealment in the chinks of the former, 

 or in the irregular cavities of the latter ; and when any inequalities exist upon the surface of 

 the rocks or stones, it clasps them so firmly with its toes, that it becomes a task of no small 

 difficulty to dislodge it, even though it can be easily reached. Under such circumstances, the 

 strength of no one man is able to withdraw a full-grown individual ; and I have seen two per- 

 sons required to pull a specimen out of a position it had attained, even with the assistance of a 

 rope fixed in front of its hinder legs. The moment it was dislodged it flew with fury at its 

 enemies, who by flight only saved themselves from being bitten. After it was killed, it was 

 discovered that the points of all the nails had been broken previously, or at the moment it lost 

 its hold. It feeds upon frogs, crabs, and small quadrupeds ; and from its partiality to the two 

 former, it is often found among rocks near to springs or running streams, which fact having 

 been observed by the natives, has led them to regard it as sacred, and not to be injured with- 

 out a danger of drought. 



* Specimens are occasionally obtained, which measure between four and five feet. 



Feet. Inches. 

 Length from the nose to the tip of 



the tail 2 8* 



of the tail 1 6 



from nose to base of fore 



legs 5| 



