

Description Food Manners. 



Some naturalists think the alligator to be only 

 a variety of the crocodile, but others imagine it 

 to be a distinct species. 



THE GUANA, or IGUANA. 



THE tail of this animal, which is a native of 

 the Bahama islands, is long and round, the back 

 serrated, and the crest denticulated. The indi- 

 viduals vary greatly in color, but their prevailing 

 tinge is a brownish green. Under the chin it has 

 a pouch capable of great inflation ; and it grows 

 to four or five feet in length. 



The guana commonly inhabits the rocks, but 

 sometimes hides itself in cliffs or hollow trees, 

 Its food is almost entirely confined to vegetables 

 and insects, which it swallows whole; and the fat 

 of the abdomen assumes the coler of whatever 

 the animal has last eaten. Its appearance is 

 disgusting, and its motions very slow. 'Though 

 not naturally amphibious, it will on necessity 

 continue long under water; in swimming, it 

 keeps its legs close pressed to its body, and urges 

 itself forward by means of the tail. 



The females usually quit the woods or moun- 

 tains about two mor>ths after the end of winter, 

 for the purpose of depositing their eggs in the 

 sand of the sea shore. These eggs are always 

 unequal in number, from thirteen to twenty-five. 

 They are longer, but not thicker than pigeons' 



VOL. vi. NO. 39- i> 



