VLA polarimetry of two extended radio galaxies

Multi-wavelength VLA observations of two extended radio galaxies, 0235 - 19 7 and 1203 + 043 are presented. There is some evidence from earlier studies that these two sources exhibit low frequency (< 1 GHz) variability. This w ork shows that both sources have linear polarizations, if any, below the de tection limits at 320 MHz, so we cannot explain the variability as being du e to instrumental polarization effects as has been suggested for 3C 159. Re fractive scintillation may be the cause of the variability in 0235-197. Thi s would require the existence of a bright, compact component in one of the hot spots seen in these observations. This is not implausible but the resol ution of this observational program is insufficient to address that questio n. The radio source 1203 + 043 lacks any bright compact component thereby r uling out a refractive scintillation mechanism for its variability. Consequ ently, it is possible that claims of variability in this source are spuriou s. However, the 320 MHz VLA observations show that 1203 + 043 has an "X"-sh aped radio structure. This is a rare morphology for the brightness distribu tion of a radio galaxy; the implications of this are examined.