78 



THE MARINE OREOCEPHALE. 



is without scales, but covered with multitudinous granular tubercles of a very small size. The 

 tail is compressed. The color of this species is blackish-brown, variegated with many spots of 

 tawny brown. 



Another curious species is appropriately called tiie Horned Iguana {Metopoceros 

 cornutus), deriving its name from the horn-like projections upon its head. Upon the fore- 

 head there is a large horn-like tubercle, and two pairs of large horny plates between the 

 nostrils. There is a crest upon the back, but it is very low between the shoulders, and upon 

 the loins it is not continuous. It inhabits St. Domingo. 



The next family, termed Rhynchocephalia, which is represented in the illustration on 

 page 77, contains only one species, the Hatteria 2nm.ctata. This reptile inhabits New 

 Zealand where the natives regard it with fear, though without any reason, as the animal is 

 quite inoffensive. They nevertheless like the flesh of the "Guana," "Tuatera," or "Narara," 

 as they call this great Lizai'd. A specimen caught in Wellington, New Zeadand, was brought 

 to Europe and has lived there in captivity for many years. It has fed on meal-worms and 

 other scaled insects. 



The general color of the Hatteria is a dark olive-green, the sides and limbs are variegated 

 with many yellow sprinkles. There is a conspicuous crest of sharp scales which runs along 

 the head and the back, while the tail shows rather flattened projections. The scales of the 

 head and back are of a yellow color, those of the tail being brown. 



It has already been mentioned that the Iguana possesses the power of swimming to a large 

 extent, and that it is capable of sustaining a long submersion without suffering any injury. 



^ MfU.VEE X A Err 



MARrNE UKEOCEPHALE Urajce)ikalm mstatus. 



There is a curious species of Iguana, the Marine Oreooepiiale, which exists upon the 

 seashore, and jjasses a considerable portion of its time in the water. This creature was first 

 made known to science by Mr. Darwin, who found it on the coasts of the Cxalapagos islands, 



and describes its habits in the following words 



