70 



The head of this Varamis is elongated as in Var. bivittatiis, 

 and the nostrils have the same situation, but are rounded, and the 

 nasal pouches are situated as in Var. chlorostigma. The poste- 

 rior teeth are larger than the anterior, but all are recurved, com- 

 pressed, with sharp edges and point, and very minutely serrated. 

 The upper surface of the head is covered with flat polygonal scales, 

 arranged in a system of circles. On the superorbital region seven 

 or eight scales, much broader than long, form a sort of crescent. 

 The scales of the back of the neck are large, oval, convex, and di- 

 stinctly encircled with small, granulous scales ; on the sides of the 

 neck they become smaller. The rami of the lower jaw are covered 

 with rather large oblong scales disposed in parallel lines ; and 

 the throat and interspace between the rami are furnished with 

 scales of a similar character, but very small. On the back, the scales 

 are oval, and slightly keeled ; the largest are those down the middle 

 of the back, whence they become gradually smaller as they ap- 

 proach the sides. The scales of the axillee are very small, flat, and 

 circular ; those covering the outer aspect of the arms, large, pointed, 

 andsubcarinate. The thighs are covered anteriorly with large square 

 flat scales, having indications of a keel, while the leg from the 

 knee downwards is covered externally wdth pointed scales, each 

 strongly and sharply keeled. On the inside of the thighs the scales 

 are moderate and circular. The scales of the abdomen and tail re- 

 semble those of Varanus bivittatus, but the double ridge of the tail 

 is comparatively more feeble and less elevated. The toes are long, 

 the claws large, compressed, and hooked. 



The ground colour of the upper surface is black ; the apex 

 of the muzzle, a transverse bar behind the nostrils, a second 

 about an inch beyond, a smaller between the eyes, and a large 

 space on the top of the head, are bright yellow ; the edges of the 

 upper lip are yellow, and a yellow stripe extends from the back 

 of the eye to the ear ; an irregular, but somewhat triangular mark 

 of yellow occupies the back of the neck, whence a line of yellow 

 spots, or, as in one specimen, a continuous line, runs between the 

 shoulders. The back is crossed by yellow spots, or by ocelli, form- 

 ing six or seven interrupted bars ; sometimes the back is more irre- 

 gularly marked, the interrupted bars being obscure, and the inter- 

 spaces numerously dotted with j'ellow scales amidst the black : one 

 of the three specimens is thus coloured ; the limbs externally are irre- 

 gularly spotted with yellow, and the tail is banded with the same. 

 The whole of the under surface, from the chin to the base of the 

 tail, the axilla:, and inside of the thighs, are orange yellow. 



Length of the largest of the three specimens (each apparently 

 adult). ft. inch. 



From the muzzle to the posterior margin of the ear 3 



From the ear to the root of the tail 1 3 



TaU 2 4 



