1879. ] made at Ajmere in Réjputdna. 121 
and forwards on the body, and with cross bands on the tail; belly and under side of 
tail whitish.” 
While V. heraldicus, as Gray called V. dracena, was thus described : 
“ Black with cross rows of pale-eyed spots, beneath pale, black-banded; shields 
over the orbits small, subequal.” 
The distinction, it will be seen, depends solely on colouration, and I 
may add that the colour assigned to V. dracena is not that of a typical 
example by any means. In Giinther’s “ Reptiles of British India,” the 
differences are far better explained. V. dracena is said to have the ven- 
tral scales in 90 transverse series between the gular fold and the loin, and 
the neck without angular dark cross bands. In V. lunatus the ventral 
scales are said to be in 105 transverse series, and the neek to be marked 
with dark angular cross bands, their points being directed backwards. The 
following is the description of the colouring of V. dracena : 
*‘ Brownish olive, uniform or generally with more or less numerous black dots, 
each of which occupies a scale; these dots are sometimes arranged in irregular trans- 
verse series and are most numerous on the throat : young specimens shew numerous 
small white ocelli edged darker, whilst the lower parts are marked with irregular dark 
transverse bands.” 
It is mentioned that a young specimen fromthe Anamullay mountains 
(probably from the base, not the top of the hills) shews narrow black bands 
across the neck, “ but they are much narrower than in V. /unatus and rather 
irregular.” The colouration of V. lunatus is said to be— 
‘Neck, trunk, and tail marked with cross bands, which are as broad as the inter- 
spaces of the ground colour; these bands are angular on the trunk and neck, with the 
angle directed backward on the neck and forwards on the trunk—four on the neck, 
eleyen on the trunk. Sides and legs dotted with white.’ 
The single specimen in the British Museum, from which Gray’s and 
Giinther’s description was taken, is stuffed and 25 inches in length, so that 
it is not in all probability full grown. It is said to have come from India, 
but no further information is available as to the locality. I examined this 
skin some years ago, when comparing the specimen from Baluchistan de- 
scribed in Hastern Persia, Vol. II, p. 360, but I could detect no character 
to be added to those noticed by Giinther. 
The matter remained thus till ten years ago. Then Carlleyle stated 
that both V. dracena and V. lunatus occurred commonly near Agra, and 
that neither of them were “ water-lizards.” (J. A.S. B., 1869, Pt. 2, 
p- 195.) Next Jerdon (P. A. S. B., March, 1870, p. 70,) stated that he 
found V. lwnatus in the Museums at Delhi and Lahore. Anderson, 
(J. A.S. B., 1871, Pt. 2, p. 30,) recorded the receipt, by the Indian Museum, 
of V. dracena from Calcutta, Agra, the Khasi Hills and Assam, and of 
V. lunatus from Agra and Goalpara (Assam). Dr. Stoliczka identified 
