LIZARDS. 



11 



The Iguanida are American pleurodont Lizards (see Fig. 7) exhi- 

 biting an astonishing variety of form. The largest and best known 

 are the Iguanas [Iguana rhinolophus and tuberculata, Case 20) , found 



[Cases 

 19-21.1 



Fior. 5. 



Iguana tuberculata (Brazil). 



in the forest-regions of Tropical America only, in the neighbourhood 

 of water, into which when frightened they jump from the overhang- 

 ing branches of trees, to escape capture by swimming and diving. 

 Feeding exclusively on leaves or fruits, they are themselves highly 

 esteemed as food, and their eggs also are eagerly sought for by the 

 natives. Iguanas grow to a length of five feet. The marine 

 Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus, Case 19) is an inhabitant of the 

 Galapagos Islands, living on the rocks of the shore and feeding on 

 seaweeds. No other Lizard enters sea-water. Among the smaller 

 representatives of this large family may be mentioned the Anolis, 

 extremely numerous in Tropical America and the West Indies — 

 small, slender, agile, thoroughly terrestrial and arboreal Lizards, 



Fie:. 6. 



Californian "Toad" (Phrynosoma cornutum). 



