698 REPTILIA—IGUANA. 
body are of a beautiful green, more or less variegated with yellow, gray 
brown, and even sometimes with red; the under parts being always more 
of a whitish color. The colors of this species are subject to variety, becom- 
ing pale at certain seasons of the year, and more particularly after the death 
of the animal. It is chiefly in the warm countries that it shines with all its 
superb ornaments, like gold and precious stone. In those regions it grows 
to a larger size than in more temperate countries, being sometimes found 
thirty inches in length. The inhabitants of Africa eat the flesh of this 
annnal. It is a gentle creature, and, if taken when young, may be rendered 
tame. If irritated, however, and driven to extremity, it will defend itself 
against a dog, and will fasten so firmly on his muzzle, as to allow itself to 
be killed, rather than forego its hold. 
The green lizard is by no means confined to the warmest countries of both 
continents; it is found likewise in temperate regions, though it is there 
smaller and less numerous. It is not even unknown in Sweden, and in 
Kamtschatka ; and in both countries, in spite of its beautiful appearance, it 
is looked on by the inhabitants with horror, from some strange superstitious 
prejudices. 
TEE He GU ACN 
fs about three feet long, and the body about as thick as one’s thigh. The 
skin is covered with small scales, like those of a serpent; and the back is 
furnished with a row of prickles that stand up, like the teeth of a saw. 
Both the jaws are full of very sharp teeth, and the bite is dangerous, though 
not venomous. The male has a skin hanging under his throat, which 
reaches down to his breast; and when displeased, he puffs it up like a 
bladder; he is one third larger and stronger than the female though the 
strength of either avails them litle towards their defence. The males are 
ash colored, and the females are green. 
The flesh of these may be considered as the greatest delicacy of Africa 
and South America; and the sportsmen of those climates go out to hunt the 
iguana, as we do in pursuit of the pheasant or the hare. In the beginning 
of the season, when the great floods of the tropical climates are passed away, 
and vegetation starts into universal verdure, the sportsmen are seen, with a 
noose and a stick, wandering along the sides of the rivers, to take the 
iguana. This animal, though apparently formed for combat, is the most 
harmless creature of all the forest. 
—— 


- Iguana vulgariz, Lin. The genus Iguana has the body and tail covered with small 
imbricated scales; a row of spines, or impressed and pointed scales along the back ; 
throat with a pendent and inflated skin, compressed laterally ; femoral pores ; head 
plated ; a row or compressed triangular and serrated teeth around the jaws, and two little 
rows on the posterior margin of the palate. 
