NATURAL HISTORY. 387 



Tribe IV STROBILOSAURA. (Gr Srpo^Aof, anything twist- 

 ed, a Fir-cone.) 

 Family XXIII. IguanTdse. (Iguanas.) 



Tuberculata (Lat. covered with pimples), tlic Iguana. 



The IGUANA family is a very large one, containing 150 

 species. The Common Iguana is a native of Brazil, Cayenne, 

 Jamaica, &c. In spite of its repulsive appearance, it is with 

 many people a favourite article of food, and is said some- 

 what to resemble chicken. It is very fierce when attacked, 

 and snaps at its enemies in a most determined manner, often 

 scaring away an intruder by the ferocity of its aspect. It is 

 generally taken by throwing a noose over its head, and dragging 

 it from the branches by main force. It is then immediately 

 killed, as its sharp notched teeth inflict a very disagreeable 

 wound. Sometimes it is hunted with dogs trained to the 

 sport. It attains a considerable size, frequently reaching the 

 length of six feet. It feeds usually on vegetable substances, 

 such as leaves, fruit, and fungi ; but iguanas have been seen 

 in the island of Isabella, that fed on eggs, insects, and even 

 the intestines of fowls. An enormous fossil iguana has been 

 discovered by Dr. Mantell, whose length must have been nearly 

 seventy feet. 



