IGUANAS. 121 



to it only when the sun is shining ; 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 believe 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 animal, it is of great use in climbing 

 trees, although not prehensile ; and it is a most 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 is either shaken down a 

 matter ordinarily of no small difficulty or the branch is cut off. 

 It is almost useless to attempt to find these reptiles without Dogs, 

 as the resemblance of their colour to that of the trees which they 

 inhabit prevents them from being easily seen. Few Dogs but 

 those accustomed to the sport will touch them, as, in addition to 

 the blows which they inflict with the tail, they bite and scratch 

 furiously ; and when once they lay hold of anything with their 

 teeth, they can only be made to let go by an inducement to bite 

 some other attractive object being offered to them. They run 

 into holes when chased, if an opportunity offers, and when their 

 eyes are hidden from view, they fancy that their whole body is 

 safely covered. The flesh, particularly of the female, is a great 

 delicacy ; it is cooked in various ways, sometimes in a fricassee, 

 with the eggs whole, sometimes roasted or stewed. The eggs 

 have a very glutinous consistence. The flesh is said to disagree 

 with some constitutions. 



" Unless when caught young, it is very difficult to induce these 

 reptiles to feed in confinement, and particularly when watched. 

 Their disposition is sulky and savage, and I have known some of 

 them," continues Lieutenant Tyler, " to die in confinement from 

 starvation, rather than feed. This has caused me to try the 

 following plan, which I find very successful, of affording them 



