224 CLASS REPTILIA. 



tuhurculata, Laurenti) is from four to five feet long. It is 

 very common in all the warm parts of America, where it re- 

 mains in the woods, at the environs of rivers, and sources of 

 spring-water. It passes most part of its time on trees, some- 

 times going to the water, and living on fruits, grain, and 

 leaves. Without being either venomous or dangerous, its 

 bite is exceedingly painful ; and when it is angry, the goitre 

 which it has under its neck becomes distended and expanded. 



This reptile has great tenacity and endurance of life, 

 and will resist the blows of a stick or cudgel very well. Ac- 

 cordingly, it is usually hunted with the bow or the gun. 



The females are smaller than the males, but their colours 

 are much more brilliant. They lay eggs in the sand, about 

 as large as those of pigeons, but a little longer, and of 

 equal thickness at both ends. The shell of these eggs is white, 

 even, and soft. They are entirely filled by the yolk, and can 

 hardly be said to have any albumen. They never harden by 

 fire, but only become a little pasty. But their flavour is 

 very agreeable, and they are constantly eaten in Surinam 

 and Guiana. A single female will lay about six dozen. 



The flesh of the iguana is considered as delicious, and is 

 in great estimation throughout all the warm parts of Ame- 

 rica. It is white and delicate. Many persons, however, 

 consider it as unwholesome, especially for those who are in- 

 fected with syphilis, some symptoms of which, such as pains 

 in the bones, &ec. it is supposed to aggravate or cause the 

 return of. At Paramaribo, it is sold extremely dear, and 

 highly thought of by epicures. 



Pison, and many other of the old travellers in America, 

 have spoken in high terms of the virtues of the bezoar of the 

 iguana, a kind of stone, found, say they, in the stomach or 

 cranium of this reptile. But, at the present day, this sub- 

 stance is fallen into the most absolute disrepute among all 

 medical practitioners. 



