220 BLUEFIELDS. 



Frequently one having the advantage of a more 

 elevated position, will jump on the other's back, but 

 the latter manages to scuffle away. Their agility is 

 very great ; they take long and high leaps in the 

 most graceful manner, always alighting with pre- 

 cision : as they run on trees and bushes a good deal, 

 and jump from twig to twig, this accuracy of eye in 

 measuring the distance, and of muscle in clearing it, 

 is important. It is quite common to see both the 

 species in dwelling-houses, and even leaping on the 

 persons of the inmates ; their well known inoffen- 

 siveness, combined with their sprightly motions, and 

 gentle aspect, causing them to be viewed without any 

 of that horror or disgust, which so often accompanies 

 the sight of a reptile. When taken into the hand, 

 however, they bite most courageously, though with 

 impotent violence ; for the teeth are not long enough 

 even to penetrate the epidermis of the fingers, nor 

 are the muscles of the jaws sufficiently powerful to 

 enable them to pinch with any inconvenience. Their 

 hold, however, is tenacious. 



We still find in works of scientific authority much 

 misunderstanding on the nature and colours of the 

 goitre. It is continually spoken of as being inflated 

 at the will of the animal : but this is quite erroneous. 

 I have occasionally seen the skin of the hody puffed 

 out, and also the skin around the neck, but the goitre 

 never. It is a portion of the common integument 

 running down the mesial line of the throat, which is 

 capable of being stretched to a remarkable degree. 

 Down the centre pass the rami of the os hyoides, lying 

 side by side close under the skin, and at length be- 



