SAURIANS. 493 



FIFTH FAMILY. VARANID^E. VARANS. 



The Varans are worthy of particular attention on account of 

 the light which they shed upon the organization of certain fossil 

 Saurians. They are also interesting on account of the size of 

 some of the species, which is inferior only to that of Crocodiles. 



These reptiles are covered with non-imbricated tubercles; i.e., 

 they do not overlay each other, like tiles on a roof. These are 

 set in the skin, rounded (except on the under part of the body, 

 where they are angular in shape,) and arranged in circular 

 bands or rings. The body is elongated, rounded, and without 

 dorsal crests ; the toes are distinct, very long, and armed with 

 strong claws. The tail is more or less compressed, and at least 

 twice as long as the body ; the tongue is fleshy and very extensi- 

 ble, being, when fully protruded, twice as long as the head ; it 

 is of a slender figure, and deeply forked at the tip, like the 

 tongue of a snake. 



The Varans are divided into two distinct groups, viz : (1) the 

 eminently Terrestrial group, which have the tail nearly conical in 

 shape, and which dwell far from the water, in desert and sandy 

 places ; (2) the Aquatic group, consisting of those which inhabit 

 the banks of rivers and lakes. In this latter group, the tail is 

 compressed laterally, and surmounted by a ridge, formed by two 

 series of flattened scales. In these the tail is an important organ 

 of progression in the water; they lash it rapidly and powerfully 

 from side to side, and thus propel themselves along with great 

 celerity, cleaving the water like an arrow. The body, in con- 

 sequence of the air with which the lungs are filled, floats on the 

 surface, and is directed by this powerful organ, at once a rudder 

 and an oar. 



The motions of these animals on land, are quick and active. 

 It is not certain that any of them are arboreal, or able to climb 

 trees, but they can scramble up rocks and craggy precipices. 

 They run with facility ; but owing to the length of the tail and 

 manner in which they work it from side to side, pressing, at the 

 same time, against the ground, their movements are sinuous, like 

 those of a serpent; and they can spring upon their prey. 



The pupil of the eye is circular, and yet many are said to be 

 nocturnal in their habits; others, however, are undoubtedly 

 diurnal. 



The food of the Varans consists of the larger kinds of insects, 

 such as locusts, crickets, and beetles, of birds, eggs, and small 

 mammalia. It is said, "they unite themselves in packs on the 



