ki ibe REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
enraged or excited. The portion of the gular pouch attached to the 
jaw is inflatable, and food is sometimes retained in it for a consider- 
able period, but the lower part is merely extensible. 
“Whilst always retaining the same colours, this Iguana has the 
power of considerably changing its hues ; but these alterations are 
gradual. The colours become more dull as the period for the change 
of cuticle approaches—which is not, however, frequent. Each scale 
has its own tint, and the colours being thus irregularly blended, an 
appearance is given, particularly to the younger reptiles, very much 
hke that of worsted-work. 
“These Iguanas live principally on trees, and near the windward 
coast of the island” (St. Lucia). ‘‘ They are not much seen, except- 
ing in the months of February, March, and April, when they quit their 
hiding-places and repair to the sea- shore or other sandy places to lay 
their eggs in the sand. ‘The older females lay a great number of eggs. 
I have known an instance of one in confinement laying five in one 
day, and thirty-two within the space of ten minutes five days after- 
wards, making thirty-seven in all. Younger females are much less 
prolific, according to their size. The eggs are very liable to destruc- 
tion by ants, which fact probably accounts for their being usually 
deposited in sea-sand. ‘They are soft, and without any white, and 
their shell resembles the most beautiful light straw-colour kid leather 
used for French gloves. These eggs are about the size of a domestic 
pigeon’s, but rather longer ; still they vary in dimensions according to 
the age and size of the i iguana. 
‘This Iguana is not averse to water, when not too cold, taking 
to it only when the sun is shining 3 in fact, not moving about much at 
any other time. Its mode of swimming differs from that of other 
Lizards, inasmuch as it places its four legs close by the side of its 
body, and swims entirely with its tail. It dives with great facility, and 
remains sometimes for a considerable time under water. I belicve 
that it never ventures into the sea. The tail is a very valuable limb ; 
for, besides being the sole means of swimming possessed by the 
aninal, it is of great use in climbing trees, although not prehensile ; 
and it is a more important weapon of defence, a blow from it being 
frequently sufficient to inflict a severe wound. In fact, this Reptile is 
rather formidable when brought to bay in the woods. It is hunted by 
the natives with dogs trained for the purpose. The dog, immediately 
upon scenting it, gives tongue, and, if on the ground, the dog seizes 
it by the back, and either kills it or maims it, which makes its capture 
easy ; if in a tree, the Iguana 1s either shaken down—a matter ordi- 
narily of no small difficulty—or the branch is cut off. It is almost 
