698 REPTILIA — IGUANA. 



body are of a beautiful green, more or less variegated with yellow, gray- 

 brown, and even sometimes with red ; the under parts being always more 

 of a whitish color. The colors of this species are subject to variety, becom- 

 ing pale at certain seasons of the year, and more particularly after the death 

 of the animal. It is chiefly in the warm countries that it shines with all its 

 superb ornaments, like gold and precious stone. In those regions it grows 

 to a larger size than in more temperate countries, being sometimes found 

 thirty inches in length. The inhabitants of Africa eat the flesh of this 

 animal. It is a gentle creature, and, if taken when young, may be rendered 

 tame. If irritated, however, and driven to extremity, it will defend itself 

 against a dog, and will fasten so firmly on his muzzle, as to allow itself to 

 be killed, rather than forego its hold. 



The green lizard is by no means confined to the warmest countries of both 

 continents ; it is found likewise in temperate regions, though it is there 

 smaller and less numerous. It is not even unknown in Sweden, and in 

 Kamtschatka ; and in both countries, in spite of its beautiful appearance, i 1 

 is looked on by the inhabitants with horror, from some strange superstitious 

 prejudices. 



THE IGUANA 



Is about three feet long, and the body about as thick as one's thigh. The 

 skin is covered with small scales, like those of a serpent; and the back is 

 furnished with a row of prickles that stand up, like the teeth of a saw. 

 Both the jaws are full of very sharp teeth, and the bite is dangerous, though 

 not venomous. The male has a skin hanging under his throat, which 

 reaches down to his breast ; and when displeased, he puffs it up like a 

 bladder ; he is one third larger and stronger than the female though the 

 strength of either avails them little towards their defence. The males are 

 ash colored, and the females are green. 



The flesh of these may be considered as the greatest delicacy of Africa 

 and South America; and the sportsmen of those climates go out to hunt the 

 iguana, as we do in pursuit of the pheasant or the hare. In the beginning 

 of the season, when the great floods of the tropical climates are passed away, 

 and vegetation starts into universal verdure, the sportsmen are seen, with a 

 noose and a stick, wandering along the sides of the rivers, to take the 

 iguana. This animal, though apparently formed for combat, is the most 

 harmless creature of all the forest. 



1 Iguana vulgaris, Lin. The genus Iguana has the body and tail covered with small 

 imbricated scales ; u row of spines, or impressed and pointed scales along the back; 

 throat with a pendent and inflated skin, compressed laterally; femoral pores; head 

 plated ; a row of compressed triangular and serrated teeth around the jaws, and two little 



TOWS on the nn^Tpnnr mnrmn r\f tho nalnla 



rows on the posterior margin of the palate. 



