IGUANA. SALAMANDER. 235 



Even the parent herself is said to co-operate in the de- 

 liverance of the human race from such a pest, by destroying 

 her offspring ; in which she is assisted by the male- as soon 

 as they take to the water. 



Of this family there are several varieties ; as the open- 

 bellied crocodile ; the alligator, or American crocodile ; 

 and the cayman, or Antilles crocodile. They all agree, 

 however, in strength, size, and ferocity ; and are justly 

 the object of terror in every country where they are 

 found. 



THE IGUANA. 



This is one of the largest of land-lizards ; and certainly 

 the most valuable, as its flesh is esteemed delicious food, 

 not only in Africa but America. The sportsmen of those 

 countries hunt the iguana as eagerly as the Europeans 

 do the pheasant or the hare ; and, notwithstanding its 

 disgusting and formidable appearance, it is rather a mild 

 than a ferocious animal, though it will bite severely when 

 attacked. 



This species is about five feet long, and as thick as a 

 man's thigh ; the skin is covered with small scales, and 

 the back is furnished with a row of erect spines, or 

 prickles. The male has a loose skin depending from the 

 breast, which it puffs up when provoked. The female is 

 considerably less, and of an ash-colour, while the former 

 is green. They generally live among trees that border the 

 streams in tropical climates, and lead an inoffensive kind 

 of life. 



THE SALAMANDER. 



Many fictions have been invented concerning this ani- 

 mal, all of which vanish, when brought to the test of 

 accurate investigation and experience. It was long be- 

 lieved to be capable of living in fire, and its bite was 

 said to be highly poisonous : both these attributes, 

 however, are unreal. All the lizard family, from a cer- 

 tain similarity which they bear to serpents, are the 



