202 CLASS REPTILIA. 



quist, one of the disciples of Linnaeus, was the only natur- 

 alist who had observed the Monitor of the Nile, ox Ouaran 

 of the Arabians, which Linnaeus and Gmelin have regarded 

 as a lizard, and Schneider has placed among the skinks. 

 More circumstantial details concerning its conformation and 

 manners were subsequently furnished by M. Geoffroy St. 

 Hilaire ; but as they chiefly relate to its anatomical confor- 

 mation, we may be dispensed from their enumeration in this 

 place. They are very fully detailed in the Baron's great 

 work on the Fossil Bones. 



The Egyptians pretend that the ouaran proceeds from 

 the Q^^ of a crocodile deposited in a dry soil. The ancients 

 have frequently represented it on their monuments, perhaps 

 because it is greedy after the eggs of the crocodile, and 

 devours the young individuals of that species. 



The Tupinamhis or Monitor of Congo, T. Ornatus of 

 Daudin, is about five or six feet in length, and devours all 

 kinds of smaller reptiles and insects, which circumstance 

 causes it to be held in high respect by the negroes, under 

 the roofs of whose cottages it frequently pursues its prey. 



The Land Monitor of Egypt is common in the deserts 

 which border upon that country. The jugglers of Cairo 

 employ it in the performance of tricks, after having drawn 

 its teeth. It is the land crocodile mentioned by Herodotus. 



The Variegated Tupinamhis of New Holland is of a 

 tint generally black, but varied with spots and stripes of 

 different forms. There are several transverse ranges of 

 round and yellow spots on the limbs, and the tail is covered, 

 throughout its entire length, with numerous annulated 

 bands alternately black and yellow. This reptile conceals 

 itself at the bottom of the waters when it is pursued. Its 

 total length is about three feet and a half. White has given 

 the first notice of this species. 



In the British Museum is a very beautiful species of 



