26 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



How hunted and taken by the negroes. 



eggs; the outer covering is white and flexible. 

 Most travellers say that these eggs give an ex- 

 cellent relish to sauces, and that their taste is 

 preferable to that of poultry eggs. Indeed, the 

 esh of the animals themselves constitutes a 

 principal support of the natives of the Bahamas, 

 who go out in their sloops to other islands to 

 take them, which they do by means of dogs 

 trained for the purpose. They are also hunted 

 by negroes. " A negro," says Father Labat, 

 who was present when one was taken, " carried 

 a long rod, at one end of which was fastened a 

 piece of whipcord, with a running knot. After 

 beating die bushes for some time, the negro dis- 

 covered our game, basking in the sun, on the dry 

 limb of a tree. On this he began whistling with 

 all his might, to which the guana was wonderfully 

 attentive, stretching out his neck, and turning 

 his head, as if to enjoy it more fully. The negro 

 now approached, still whistling, and, advancing 

 his rod gently, began tickling with the end of it 

 the sides and throat of the guana, which seemed 

 mightily pleased with the operation, for he turn- 

 ed on his back, and stretched himself out like a 

 rut before the fire, and at length fairly fell 

 asleep. The negro perceiving this, dexterously 

 slipped the noose over his head, and with a jerk 

 brought him to the ground." See the annexed 

 plate. 



As soon as these animals are caught their 

 mouths are' sewed up, to prevent them from 



