108 REPTILES AND BIRDS, 
small ones, which frequented my garden at Colombo, made their 
retreat in the heart of a decayed tree.” 
Of another species, V. flavescens, which inhabits Lower Bengal, 
and to the eastward in Burmah, &c., Mr. Theobald remarks that 
“large specimens are not often procurable by Europeans, as they are 
much sought after by both Burmese and Karéns as choice articles of 
food. ‘They are chiefly hunted with dogs, whose scent enables them 
to discover the Varans in the hollow trees in which they habitually 
shelter themselves. A Burman, though ordinarily a lazy man, to 
obtain such a donne bouche will think nothing of the labour of cutting 
down and breaking up a large tree in which one of these creatures 
has sought refuge. The Var canide deposit their eggs on the ground, 
usually selecting a deserted White Ant’s nest. ‘The eggs are cylin- 
drical, with tapering ends, of a dirty white colour with a covering ot 
leathery texture (those of V. dracena are two inches long), and, being 
esteemed an uncommon luxury by the Burmese, sell dearer than 
fowls’ eggs. They are oily and feculent-looking, though devoid of 
any naiiseous odour, and some Europeans eat them with pleasure. 
A well-known African species, the V. or Psammosaurus scincus, 
extends to the extreme desert region of the north-west of India, 
habitually frequenting dry localities. In this species the nasal 
apertures are placed very near the eyes. 
In the genus /ydrosaurus, the nostrils are more or less rounded, 
and are situated near the extremity of the snout. These animals are 
more aquatic than the preceding, and some of the species grow to 
seven or even eight feet in length. Such is the HZ gzvanteus of 
Australia, where three, if not four, species are found. In all south- 
eastern Asia and ifs islands, its range extending to Lower Bengal but 
not to India proper, although found in Ceylon, the 4 sa/vator is 
a common 'species, which, according to the late Dr. Cantor, is “‘ very 
numerous in hilly and marshy localities of the Malayan peninsula. 
During the day it is commonly observed on the branches of trees 
overhanging rivers, preying upon birds, their eggs, and smaller 
lizards, and, when disturbed, throws itself into the water from a 
considerable height. It will courageously defend itself by teeth, 
claws, and blows with its tail. 
We have now to treat of the 
PACHYGLOSSA., 
These have the tongue short, thick, attached to the gullet, and 
not exsertile. They are divided into two very distinct tribes—the 
