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NIMBLE LIZARD. 



they hold it fast to the ground, whilst they tie its mouth 

 and legs, in order to prevent it from biting, or from 

 attempting to escape. Notwithstanding its formidable 

 appearance, the Guana is one of the mildest and most 

 harmless animals imaginable. If excited to anger, it 

 hisses like a serpent; a large pouch which is under its 

 throat, greatly enlarges ; it erects the spines which extend 

 along its back, and carries its head in a menacing attitude. 

 But all this is only to intimidate. It frequents the hol- 

 lows of trees and the clefts of rocks ; and although it is 

 not naturally an inhabitant of the water, yet, on necessity, 

 it will continue immersed for a great length of time. It 

 is able to climb into trees, and even among the highest 

 branches, with wonderful agility. 



The whole length of the Guana is generally from four 

 to five feet. The tail is long and rounded. Along the 

 ridge of the back there is a row of spines ; and under the 

 chin a pouch of large size, and capable of great exten- 

 sion. The animals vary much in colour, but the prevail- 

 ing tinge is a brownish green. 



Nimble Lizard. This is a most innocent and beautiful 

 little creature. It is frequently to be seen on dry heaths 

 and commons, where it delights in basking in the sun. It 

 feeds on insects, upon which it darts with astonishing 

 rapidity, and secures them on its forked and glutinous 

 tongue. In all its motions it exhibits the greatest agility. 

 About the beginning of May, the female lays her eggs, 

 generally in the side of some warm bank, where they are 

 hatched by the heat of the sun. These animals fre- 

 quently change their skins; and they pass the winter in 

 a torpid state under the ground, or in holes of decayed 

 trees. 



This Lizard is generally betwixt six and seven inches 



