Cn. XL] IGUANA. COBEA. 171 



purpose to obsei've it. Each time I passed it retreated into 

 the jungle, but was always at its post when I came back. 



On one occasion I disturbed a large Iguana in such a 

 situation, that in order to escape, it had to run some 

 distance across an open space in my full view ; and it did run 

 tolerably quickly, but in a most ludicrous manner : the short 

 and peculiarly situated fore legs had an awkward waddling 

 motion, whUe the hind legs, seeming less encumbered, ran 

 more quickly, and threatened to overtake the head, while the 

 long tail followed behind, as if it scarcely belonged to it, 

 swaying from one side to the other according to the direction 

 the animal took. With aU this, however, I should scarcely 

 have caught it in a flat race. 



Chameleons of more than one species exist in Labuan. 

 The natives have a great prejudice against them, and will 

 not touch them, believing them to be deadly poisonous. 



Although as an island, Labuan is undoubtedly more free 

 from serpents than the mainland, they are quite sufficient 

 in numbers, and occasionally venomous. The Cobra (Naja 

 tripudians) appears to be almost unknown in Labuan, only 

 one instance having occurred in which it was supposed 

 to have been met with. A gentleman (the Colonial Surveyor) 

 riding on horseback near Tanjong Tarras, was confronted 

 by a snake in the midst of the road, which raised itself, 

 head erect, and hood swelled out. Although he had never 

 seen a cobra, the snake immediately recalled to his mind 

 the figures and descriptions of them. He dismounted and 

 killed the reptile, and being then pressed for time, he 

 threw it among the grass at the roadside, intending to re- 

 turn and examine it at his leisure ; but for some reason or 

 other, unfortunately neglected to do so. A reference after- 

 wards to figures of the cobra only served to convince him 



