^6 THE COMMON GUANA. 



Pages says that, near one of the rivers in America, 

 where the Alligators were very numerous, the efflu- 

 via was so strong as to impregnate his provisions, 

 and even to give them the nauseous taste of rotten 

 musk*. 



The teeth are as white as ivory ; and snuff-boxes, 

 charges for guns, and several kinds of toys, are made 

 with them. Those persons, who have eaten of their 

 flesh, say that it is white and very delicious , many of 

 the American tribes are in a great measure sup- 

 ported by it. 



THE COMMON GUANAf. 



This is an animal that frequently occurs in Ame- 

 rica, and both the West and East Indies, where it 

 grows to four or five feet in length. The tail is 

 Jong and round ; the back serrated ; and the crest 

 denticulated. The individuals vary greatly in co- 

 lour, but their prevailing tinge is a brownish green. 

 Under the chin they have a pouch capable of great 

 inflation. 



The Guana inhabits the rocks, and hides itself 

 in cliffs or hollow trees. Its food is almost entirely 

 confined to vegetables and insects, which it swal- 

 lows whole ; and the fat of the abdomen assumes 

 the colour of whatever the animal has last eaten. 

 Its appearance is disgusting, and its motions very 



* Pages, i. 48. 

 + Synonyms.— — Lacerta iguana. Linn. — L'Iguane La Cepede. 

 JLeguana. Seba — Great American Guana. Common Guana. Sbaw. 

 .... .. Shaw's Gen. Zool. vol. 3. tab. 61. 



