58 THE COMMON GHANA. 



which was fastened a piece of whipcord, with a 

 running knot. After beating the bushes for some 

 time, the negro discovered our game, basking 

 in the sun, on the dry limb of a tree. On this he 

 began whistling with all his might ; to which the 

 Guana was wonderfully attentive, stretching out 

 his neck, and turning his head, as if to enjoy it 

 more fully. The negro now approached, still whistl- 

 ing : and, advancing his rod gently, began tickling 

 with the end of it the sides and throat of the Guana, 

 which seemed mightily pleased with the operation ; 

 for he turned on his back, and stretched himself out 

 like a cat before the fire, and at length fairly fell 

 asleep. The negro perceiving this, dexterously slip- 

 ped the noose over his head, and with a jerk brought 

 him to the ground." 



The flesh is sometimes roasted, but more usually- 

 boiled, the fat being first taken out, which the na- 

 tives melt and clarify. 



The Guana is an animal easily tamed if taken 

 young. Dr. Browne kept a full-grown one about 

 his house for more than two months. At first it was 

 very fierce and ill-natured ; but after some days it 

 grew more tame, and would, at length, pass the 

 greatest part of the day on the bed or couch : but it 

 always went out at night. As it walked along it 

 frequently threw out its forked tongue ; but Dr. 

 Browne says that, during all the time he had it, he 

 never observed that it ate any thing *. 



.Browne's Jamaica, 462. 



