66 



Gogga Brown 



trustworthy evidence. Although the aquatic 

 species of Varans is very numerous in many parts 

 of the Colony, yet the land species are very rare 

 south of the Lattakoo, and even there they are 

 by no means common. 



M I would be thankful if you could please 

 inform me succinctly, whether anything is specially 

 known of the power of the tongue of snakes or 

 of Varans. Should you favour me with some 

 information on this point, I shall feel myself 

 honoured in your accepting a paper embracing 

 the result of my researches on the habits of the 

 South African terrestrial monitors. The following 

 points are the subject of my researches : they 

 comprise its fabulous as well as its most probable 

 history, such as its love of milk, its venomous 

 character, its power over the weather, over man ; 

 mode of capturing prey, its tenacity of life, 

 counterfeiting death, power of adhering to irregu- 

 larities on rocks ; the dread dogs show at its 

 presence, and its food. The effect its forked 

 tongue produces on the unprotected and most 

 sensitive parts of birds, such as the eyes and under 

 the wing. Whether the power may be electric 

 or narcotic, the tongue used offensively towards 

 insects and birds, and defensively when in the 

 presence of mammals, and to use the words of 

 a French gentleman of reputation who was in 



