toE tlZARl). 133 



tliere is a yellowish band; some are dotted witli brown, and haye 

 yellow spots on the limbs. The tail is ringed broadly with alter- 

 nate brown and yellowish green colors." 



Mr. Phelps adds: '' There are a great many small iguanas every 

 where about Nassau. The most numerous species are about five 

 inches in length, and are generally of a light gray color, but like 

 the chamelion, they can change to several different hues at will. 

 It is constantly on the hunt for small insects, and may at any 

 time be seen on trees, walls and houses, running about in quest 

 of its prey. 



"Another small species abounds in all gardens. It is about 

 seven inches long, and of the brightest grass-green color. It is 

 much more slender than the one just described, has a tail which 

 is twice the length of its body, and a very prominent dew-lap of 

 a rich umber-brown tint. The dew-lap is peculiar to this order 

 of lizards. It is capable of expansion and contraction at will, 

 and, through its changes, an interchange of ideas seem to be 

 effected; sight taking tbe place of sound as a medium for trans- 

 mitting thought. 



*' The blue-tailed lizard frequents hot, sandy places, and may be 

 commonly seen al)out the battery. It is al^out ten inches long. 



" The lizard is small but very useful. Its mission is to keep 

 insect life in tropical countries within reasonable and proper 

 bounds. They are exceedingly spry, and very amusing in their 

 habits. They never molest any one, and their mission, so far as 

 man is concerned, is decidedly friendly and beneficial."' 



Mr. Phelps states that he saw ujjon the island of New Provi- 

 dence, three si)ecies of the tree frog, one of which was very large. 



Also that he had collected while at Nassau, from fifteen to 

 twenty species of crabs, including three or four kinds of land 

 crabs. Mr. Edwards, in his history of the West India Islands, 

 speaking of the mountain crab, says: 



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