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
352 G. J. DE FEJ ÉH V Ali Y Let us now go over to an examination of «Palaeovaranus Filholoy described by DE STEFANO. It is with regret that I must point to the fact that in spite of his erudition, DE STEFANO does not dispose of the required expertness in zootomy, nor of sufficient knowledge regarding the variation of different osteological characters, whereby necessary zoological practice failing, correct judgment in the matter cannot be afforded. Thus the distinction from V. Cayluxi is decidedly forced. The right to a specific difference is already a priori rendered problematic by the fact of the fossils having been found in the s a m e place a n d s t r a t a as V. Gayluxi; therefore the phenomenon is in itself improbable of two Species of Varanus living in the very same spot and age — in Europe especially, — as in the Palaearctis of the old Tertiary period this genus could in no case have possessed the richness of species as for instance the genus Lacerta in the Quarterly period and of nowadays — which would explain the existence of several species in like ages and places. The «différences» mentioned by DE STEFANO are the following: 1° The maxillary teeth (p. 409) «sono conici, appuntati, compressi lateralmente, un poco arcuati alia punt a, leggermente striati alla base e sottili tanto al margine anteriore quanto a quello posteriore.» Besides this, as the author writes* they also differ from V. Cayluxi FILH. inasmuch as they are «più gracili, meno appuntati, meno arcuati, meno compressi lateralmente e striati leggermente alia base.» It is a known fact that the teeth of .Reptiles vary considerably even in the same individual; as factor to this, the age of the individual as well as (he position of the teeth in the maxilla or mandibula also play their part. Moreover Reptiles teeth are apt to fall out or break off, whereafter the regenerated tooth does not for some time correspond in size with the others. DE STEFANO seems to have given no attention to these facts. I take it for granted that every herpetologist will share in my opinion as to the a ppreciation of this feature .This f i r s t c h a r a c te r d o e s n o t therefore in any way prove the specific difference, and for my part I see nothing else in these particularities than the expression of individual variation, which seems all the more plausible by lire insignificant difference in gradation conveyed by DE STEFANO'S w r ords : «più, meno, leggerHieirte.» 1 2° The second difference between Varanus Cayluxi una «V. Filholi» would be that the cava glenoidea of the vertebrsö of the former is ellipsoid, whilst the same with «F. Filholi)) «benchè sia di forma leggermente elittica, pure è quasi tanto lunga che larga.» It is obvious by this description that DE STEFANO has not examined the variations of the caudal vertebrae of 1 The absolute conformity of the teeth is strikingly apparent on De STEFANO ; S Pl. IX, Fig. 8 & on Pl. X, Figs. 15 & 18.
