LIZARDS. 



11 



The IguanidcB are American pleui'odont Lizards (see Fig. 7) exhi- 

 biting an astonishing variety of form. The largest and best known 

 are the Iguanas {Iguana rhinolojjhus and titberculata, Case 20) , found 



Fig. 5. 



.^^^^^v?^ 



Iffuana tuherculata (Brazil). 



in the forest-regions of Tropical America ouly^ in the neighbourhood 

 of water^into which when frightened they jump from the overhanging 

 branches of trees^ to escape capture by swimming and diving. 

 Feeding exclusively on leaves or fruits, they are themselves highly 

 esteemed as food, and their eggs also are eagerly sought for by the 

 natives. Iguanas grow to a length of five feet. The marine Iguanas 

 {Oreocephalus cristatus and subcristatus, Case 19) are inhabitants 

 of the Galapagos Islands, living on the rocks of the shore and 

 feeding on seaweeds. No other Lizard enters sea-water. Among the 

 smaller representatives of this large family may be mentioned the 

 Anolis, extremely numerous in Tropical America, and especially the 

 West Indies — small, slender, agile, thoroughly terrestrial Lizards, 



Fig. 6. 



Californian " Toad " {Phrynosoma cornutum). 



