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V A R A N U S A LBO G U LA R IS.—Daud.
Reptilia.—Plate II. (Male.)
V. capite quadiangulari, versus apicem attenuato; naribus obliquis angustis propfe oculos positis; collo
corporeque obesis; pedibus validis; oaud-i versus basin subcylindricd dein compressd, supra
carinata; capite colloque, subochreis brunneo-nraculatis; fascia brunnea ab oculo ad dorsum ; corpore
supra brunneo, fasciis, maculis lineisque subochreis variegatis, subtus suboehreo, guttis brunneis
sparso; cauda fasciis brunneis subochreisque altemantibus fasciata.
Varanus Gillit— Smith, South African Quarterly Journal, 1831.
Colour.—Head and neck intermediate between,gamboge and ochre-yellow,
the former and the sides and back of the neck finely freckled by small black
spots ; from the outer corner of each eye, a brown stripe extends along the
neck, and terminates on the hack immediately behind the base of the fore
leg, where it is much broader than at its commencement ; this stripe is
generally darkest at its edge and lightest along its centre: between the terminations
of these stripes there are in most specimens two large brown blotches
separated from each other by a yellowish line. Back brown, crossed by three
or four ochry yellow bands, which are, either in the form of continuous stripes
or interrupted blotches, and is besides variegated by smaller spots, or waved
narrow stripes of the same colour; the larger bands and blotches sprinkled with
small brown spots. The sides ochry yellow with small brown spots and
vertical stripes, the latter continued from the brown of the back; belly the
same colour as the sides, with a sprinkling of small brown spots. Tail
beneath ochry yellow; above and on the sides marked by alternate brown and
yellow bands, the former spotted with yellow, the latter with brown. The
outer surface of anterior extremities ochry yellow, spotted with brown ; the
posterior extremities dark brown, spotted with ochry yellow; toes, the latter
colour, with some indistinct brownish bars; nails dark horn-coloured.
Form, &c.—Head rather small; neck and body robust and rather flattened
; limbs thick and strong. The head is quadrangular, rather short, broad
behind, and tapered towards the nose; nostrils oblique, linear, and situated
near to the eyes; teeth somewhat cylindrical and strong, obtuse in some
specimens, pointed in others; external ear, transverse and narrow; tail somewhat
cylindrical towards the base, the remainder compressed above and surmounted
by a distinct serrated Carina with a slight channel along its upper
surface; towards the tip of the tail this carina almost disappears. Upper
surface of the head covered by flat somewhat circular scales, rather small,
particularly over the eyes; lips and temples covered with small scales, on the