HE LIZARD. 133 
there is a yellowish band; some are dotted with brown, and have 
yellow spots on the limbs. The tailis ringed broadly with alter- 
nate brown and yellowish green colors.” . 
Mr. Phelps adds: ‘‘ There are agreat many small iguanas every 
where about Nassau. The most numerous species are about five 
inches in length, and are generally of a light gray color, but like 
the chamelion, they can change to several different hues at will. 
It is constantly on the hunt for small insects, and may at any 
time be seen on trees, walls and houses, running about in quest 
of its prey. . 
<‘ Another small species abounds in all gardens. It is about 
seven inches long, and of the brightest grass-green color. It is 
much more slender than the one just described, has a tail which 
is twice the length of its body, and a very prominent dew-lap of 
a rich umber-brown tint. The dew-lap is peculiar to this order 
of lizards. It is capable of expansion and contraction at will, 
and, through its changes, an interchange of ideas seem to be 
effected; sight taking the place of sound as a medium for trans- 
mitting thought. 
“The blue-tailed lizard frequents hot, sandy places, and may be 
commonly seen about the battery. It is about ten inches long. 
“ The lizard is small but very useful. Its mission is to keep 
insect life in tropical countries within reasonable and proper 
bounds. They are exceedingly spry, and very amusing in their 
habits. They never molest any one, and their mission, so far as 
maa is concerned, is decidedly friendly and beneficial.” 
Mr. Phelps states that he saw upon the island of New Provi- 
dence, three species of the tree frog, one of which was very large. 
Also that he had collected while at Nassau, from fifteen to 
twenty species of crabs, including three or four kinds of land 
crabs. Mr. Edwards, in his history of the West India Islands, 
speaking of the mountain crab, says: 
12 
