LIZARDS. 



317 



the gentleness of the dove. Such is the lizard known by the 

 name of the common iguana. However, when this otherwise 

 harmless creature is agitated and irritated either by fear or anger, 

 Its ^yes seem flashing with fire ; it hisses like a serpent, greatly 



The Common Iguana. 



inflates the pouch under its throat, it lashes about its tail with . 

 great violence, the scales upon its back rise erect, and its head, 

 covered with tubercles, it raises in a most threatening attitude. 

 We can scarcely conceive any creature to look more dreadful or 

 forbidding. 



Its usual places of habitation and retreat are the clefts of 

 Toek^i o: the hollows of trees. Though it is not commonly a tenant 

 of the watery element, yet, in cases of danger, it will plunge itself 

 beneath the surface, and there remain some time concealed. It 

 shows great agility in its motions ; it climbs trees with astonishing 

 ease, and with great quickness it will reach the loftiest branches ; 

 it will fold its body with the branches, and thus hide itself/ 

 watching in secure ambush. About two months after winter, the 

 females leave the woods and proceed to the sea-shore to lay their 



27* 



