101 



LIZARDS (L.\CERTA), No. 2. 



A very fine specimen of the American Iguana ; 

 presented to the Museum by Lady Cox Hippesley. 



The African Iguana, 



The 31onitor Lizard (Lacerta Monitor). 



The Monitor Lizard is one of the most beautiful of 

 the whole tribe, and is also one of the largest, some^ 

 times measuring not less than four or live feet from 

 the nose to the tip of the tail. This elegant animal 

 is found with little variation in Sou[h America, New 

 Holland, and x\frica, where it fre<^utrnts woody and 

 watery places ; and if credit may be given to the re- 

 ports of some authors, is of a disposition as gentle as 

 its appearance is beautiful. It has gained the name 

 of Monitor, from its supposed attachment to the hu- 

 man race, and has been said that it warns mankind 

 of the approach of the Alligator, by a loud and shrdl 

 whistle. 



The Galliii'asp (Lacerta Occidua). 



The Galliwasp is a native of the American Islands, 

 and seems to be particularly common in Jamaica, 

 where it is said to frequent woody and marshy dis- 

 tricts. The Galliwasp (according to Brown, in his 

 Natural History of Jamaica) is reckoned the most ve- 

 nomous reptile in that island, and it is said that no 

 creature can recover from its bite : but this he very 

 properly considers merely a popular error. This ani'- 

 Miai is not noticed by Linngeus. 



