IGUANOID GROUP. 



141 



small scales, and a single series of larger and somewhat spinous ones. The toes 

 are compressed, and covered below with keeled plates. In total length this iguana 

 reaches about 48 inches ; and its general colour is green or dark olive, speckled 

 with darker and lighter, and frequently marked with blackish transverse bands. 

 The ring-tailed iguana is a somewhat local species, occurring most abundantly in 

 Jamaica, on the limestone mountains in the neighbourhood of Kingston Harbour 

 and Goat Island, but also met with on the low grounds lying between the coast 

 ranges and the higher mountains of the interior, where hollow trees occur. Shy 

 and retiring in their habits, the creatures live in pairs, and display no great partiality 



RING-TAILED IGUANA {\ nat. size). 



for water, although, on occasion, they can swim as well as the true iguanas. They 

 feed mainly or entirely on grass, and when disturbed in grazing, these reptiles 

 rush back to the trees with extraordinary speed, sometimes taking great leaps like 

 a frog, although their movements are generally deliberate and slow. If unable to 

 escape, they show fight in much the same way as the true iguanas. The breeding- 

 habits of this species do not appear to be known, although the females of the allied 

 black iguana (Ctenosaura acanthura) of California are in the habit of laying in 

 company, like the true iguanas. The ring-tailed iguana exhales a peculiarly dis- 

 agreeable smell, which is stated to be so objectionable as to cause even the ants to 

 forsake a room into which one of these creatures is brought. For this reason its 

 flesh is uneatable, although that of the black iguana is highly esteemed. 



