IGUANAS 57 



land of the Galapagos group, in 1902, in quest of giant tor- 

 toises, he found on the clean lava-bed which formed the 

 shore, a truly wonderful assemblage of Marine Iguanas. An 

 area of at least three acres, destitute both of soil and vege- 

 tation, was literally covered by these reptiles, all wide-awake 

 and fully interested in life, but serenely waiting for something 

 to turn up. 



Owing to their lymphatic temperament, and previous im- 

 munity from persecution by man, these strange creatures 

 were quite tame, and willingly permitted Mr. Beck to make 

 the photograph that is reproduced herewith. It represents 

 one of the most wonderful views of reptilian life to be found 

 anywhere on the earth to-day. 



The Marine Iguana is a stockily built, dull-colored animal, 

 about 43^ feet in length, frugivorous in its habits, and very 

 much at home in the water. It subsists almost wholly upon 

 sea- weed. 



The Rhinoceros Iguana, 1 of the same form as the pre- 

 ceding, but much lighter in color, and marked by half a dozen 

 horny tubercles on the upper surface of its head and snout, 

 is found in Hayti and San Domingo. 



Leaving the large lizards, of which be it remembered there 

 are many interesting species in the Old World — called Moni- 

 tors — impossible to mention here, we reach the small lizards, 

 of which there are a legion of species. The warm and dry 

 countries of the world literally swarm with these tiny crea- 

 tures, which dart over rocks and fences like streaks of green 

 or brown light. If you try to catch one by its long tail, and 



1 Met-o-poc'e-ros cor-nu'tus. 



