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. flavcscens, 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 Karens 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 bonne 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 Varanidce. 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 of 

 leathery texture (those of V. draccefia 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 nauseous odour, and some Europeans eat them with pleasure. 



A well-known African species, the V. or Psammosaurus Sanctis, 

 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 Hydrosatirus, 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 H. giganteus of 

 Australia, where three, if not four, species are found. In all south- 

 eastern Asia and its islands, its range extending to Lower Bengal but 

 not to India proper, although found in Ceylon, the H. salvator 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 



