570 



The Living Animals of the World 



y 



L 



/; I II ^ I K I I '..:y.\ [M,lforil-oa-,S<n. 



AUSTRALIAN JEW OR BEARDED LIZARDS. 



Tlje scales of the bearded lizard are exceedingly rough and sharp, sometimea cutting the skin 



of those wlio handle them incautiously. 



Photohij W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] {MilJ\ird-oi s a 



BEARDED LIZARD. 



"With its beard-like throat-membrane fnlly expanded. 



found it in considerable numbers on the shores of the 

 islands which constitute the Galapagos group. The lizards 

 were observed to spend much of their time swimming in 

 the sea, but at no very great distance from the land. Experi- 

 ments proved that they could live for a very considerable 

 interval entirely submerged, examples sunk with weights for 

 as much as an hour emerging entirely unaffected from the 

 ordeal. 



While the Iguanas may he described as essentially 

 American, one or two exceptional forms are found inhabiting 

 the relatively remote regions of the Fiji Islands and ]\Iada- 

 gascar. The so-called FiJi Banded Iguana (photogra})hs of 

 a pair of which, once in the writer's possession, are reproduced 

 on page 575) is a very beautiful creature. The body is 

 shapely and well proportioned, and terminates in a tail of 

 abnormal length — equal to quite twice that of the body — 

 the entire dimensions measuring some o teet. The male is 

 much more bright in hue than the female; for while the 

 latter is usually of a uniFoim light green throughout, the 

 male is variegated, with broad, alternating bands of brightest 



species, attain to a considerable 

 length, 5 or 6 feet ; their bodies 

 are proportionably thick, and the 

 white flesh, in this last-named 

 variety more particularly, is highly 

 esteemed as a table delicacy. The 

 common Tuberculated Iguana is 

 an essentially handsome species, 

 its skin being variegated with 

 bands and shadings of brown and 

 green, which are lightest and 

 brightest in the males and younger 

 individuals ; the neck and snout 

 and jaws are decorated with pro- 

 jecting, rounded tubercles ; a large, 

 baggy, dewlap-like membrane, 

 capable of inflation at the animal's 

 will, depends from the chin and 

 throat ; and a deeply serrated crest 

 of elevated scales extends from 

 behind the head, down the centre 

 of the back, nearly to the extremity 

 of the tail. 



The Iguana Family includes 

 a species with essentially marine 

 proclivities, this being the GtALA- 

 PAGO.s Sea-lizard. This animal 

 was first discovered to science by 

 the late Mr. Charles Darwin, who 



Phiilo'by W. Savilli-Kcnt, F.Z.S., Jl/(7/o,-i!-oi!-A'ca. 



A YOUNG BEARDED LIZARD. 



Showing its habitual sleeping attitude. 



