Horváth Géza (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 16. (Budapest 1918)
Fejérváry, G.J.: Contributions to a Monography on fossil Varanidae and on Megalanidae 16
\ sentiert, deren Körperlänge, nach den vorhandenen Resten zu schliessen,. eine ansehnliche Grösse erreichen musste, die jene der lebenden Warnei de eil se wenn nicht übertroffen, so doch erreicht haben.» «Zu welchem Genus der fossilen Formen diese Reste gestellt werden sollten, lasst sich noch nicht angeben.» This most primitive «description»/ to which no figure is even added, caiinoi possibly offer any clue to a determination, I therefore regard it a p r e in a t u r e procedure on Baron NOPCSA 's part to simply mention these fossils as «Varanus sp.». Considering the description, both, the genus and the species, appear dubious, so that it seems best to insert this «Incertae sedis» form as <•? Varanus sp. NOP. 1908»in the palaeontological system. Of what has been said it therefore follows that instead of the seven European V a r a n i d s mentioné el in recent literature we know altogether but of three (eventually two) species which belong to one genus, viz. Varanus, and to which yet two «Incertœ sedis» forms must be added as Appendix of the family Varanidae. B) Varanidae of Asia. The first fossil M on i t o r of Asia was determined by FALCONER, in his «Palaeontological Memoirs» 1 — published in 1868 — under the name of Varanus sivalensis. This reptile originated from the lower Pliocene of the Siwalik Hills in India and has been later on more closely described by LYDEKKER. 2 Furthermore,in 1886 3 LYDEKKER mentions fossils 4 from the Billa Surgam Caves, Karnul, Madras, India, under the name of «Varanus dracaena SHAW» originating however from the more recent Pleistocene strata and very likely belonging to Varanus bengalensis yet existing. These two species, the one from the Neogene, the other from the Quarterly period, are the only representatives of Asiatic Varanidae yet known to us. Varanus sivalensis FALC can quite safely be admitted as species. The bulkiness of its dimensions are w T ell demonstrated by the robustness of the humerus upon which FALCONER establishes the species. The type 1 Vol. I, London, 1868, PI. 32 Fig. 4-7 & «Descr. of P). XXXII.» Siwalik Oocodilia, Lacert., and Ophid., in: Ind. tert. and post-tert. Vert., Pa. ifflont. Ind., Mem. Geol. Surv. Ind., Ser. X, Vol. III, Calcutta, 1884-86; p. 236, PI. XXXV, Figs. 1, la, 16. - The Fauna of the Karnul Caves, &c, op. cit. Ser. X, Vol. IV, Calcutta, 1886, p. 55, Fig. 11. — Catal. Foss. Rept. Am ph. Brit. Mus., Part I, London 1888, p. 283-284, Fig. 65. 3 LYDEKKEB, The Fauna of the Karnnl Caves, in: Indian tert. and poet.tertiary Vert., Palasont, Ind., Mem. Geol. Surv. Ind., Ser. X, Vol. IV, Calcutta ; p. 54, 55. Fig. 10. * See also : LYDEKKER, Catal. Part I, p. 282.
