402 
G. J. DE FEJ ÉRVÁR Y 
Measurements : 
Greatest length: 8*8 
Greatest width: 4°55 
c) Systematical, phylogenetical and biological considerations. 
As proved above, V. marathonensis a good deal surpasses in size its 
relative, the recent V. griseus Baud. ; this latter, a smaller Varanus species, 
according to Werner (Brehm’s Tierleben) 1 measuring in fully developed 
state 1*3 m utmost length, whilst alluded to by Ditmars 2 as rarely more 
than four feet long. Comparing the dimensions of the vertebrae of V. mara¬ 
thonensis and V. griseus it is easy to conclude, by the fact of the former’s 
being more than twice the latter’s size, to this reptile having approximately 
reached 2 y 2 m in length. Considering its dimensions V. marathonensis could 
therefore be compared to one of the largest recent Varanus species, Varanus 
salvator Laur. (according to Werner, op. cit., 129: 2*4-8 m) for instance. 
The skeleton of this latter species belonging to the Hofmuseum in Vienna is 
only about iy 2 m long, so that in this case the vertebrae are hardly half 
the size of those : of V. marathonensis. The dentale fragment originating 
from Beremend, must certainly have belonged to a much smaller specimen, 
its dimensions almost agreeing with those of the V. griseus examined. The 
phalanx, although found with the other more massive bones, is also but 
of average size, not presenting any characteristics of importance. This 
phalanx may have belonged to a younger specimen or also perhaps to 
the same individual whose vertebræ have been described above (see 
description). The vertebra fragments sufficiently prove to the very large size 
of the reptile ; it were however most desirable to establish certain proportions 
between the different parts of the body, which owing to the small number 
of remains, is unfortunately not yet possible. 
I must here point to the interesting fact that numerous descendants 
or close relatives of Præglacial amphibian and reptile species, yet now inha¬ 
biting the same faunistical territory in South Hungary, are generally found 
to differ from their fossil ancestors by their considerably smaller size, and 
therefore from a systematical point of. view may at best be considered as 
fossil subspecies («mutations») of the former. 3 Varanus marathonensis on 
1 op. cit., p. 131. 
2 Kept, of the World, New-York, 1910, p. 167. 
3 As examples may be cited, «f Pe oba es robustus By.» and P. fuscus Laub,.; 
Rana fusca Rös. mutatio Méhelyï. By. and R. usca Rös. (s. str.) ; Goluber Kormosi 
By.» and C. longissimus Laub. 
