LIZARDS. 487 
The scales of the back are flat and smooth, and there is also a series of 
rather large tubercular projections arranged in twelve distinct rows, 
WE now arrive at an important tribe of Lizards, called by the name of 
STROBILOSAURA, a title derived from two Greek words, one signifying a 
“fir-cone” and the other “a lizard,” and given to these creatures because 
the scales that cover their tails are set in regular whorls, and bear some 
resemblance to the projecting scales of the fir-cone. In all these reptiles the 
tongue is thick, short, and very slightly nicked at the tip, The eyes have 
circular pupils, and are formed for day use. 
The first family of these Lizards consists of those creatures which are 
grouped together under the general title of IGUANA. Our illustration 
depicts the COMMON IGUANA. 
This conspicuous, and, in spite of its rather repulsive shape, really hand- 
some Lizard, is a native of Brazil, Cayenne, the Bahamas, and neighbouring 
localities, and was at one : : 
time very common in Ja- 
maica, from which, however, 
it seems to be in process of 
gradual extirpation. 
In common with those 
members of the family which 
have their body rather com- 
pressed and covered with 
squared scales, the Iguana 
is a percher on trees, living 
almost wholly among the 
branches, to which it clings 
with its powerful feet, and 
on which it finds the greater 
part of its food. It is al- 
most always to be found 
on the trees that are in the a 
vicinity of water, and espe- IGUANA.—(lguana tuberculata.) 
cially favours those that 
grow upon the banks of a river where the branches overhang the stream. 
Though not one of the aquatic Lizards, the Iguana is quite at home in the 
water, and if alarmed will often plunge into the stream, and either dive or 
swim rapidly away. While swimming, it lays its fore-legs against the sides, 
so as to afford the smallest possible resistance to the water, stretches out the 
hinder legs, and, by a rapid serpentine movement of its long and flexible tail, 
passes swiftly through the waves, It has considerable power of enduring 
immersion, as indeed is the case with nearly all reptiles, and has been known 
to remain under water for an entire hour, and at the end of that time to 
emerge in perfect vigour. 
From the aspect of this long-tailed, dewlapped, scaly, spiny Lizard, most 
persons would rather recoil than feel attracted, and the idea of eating the 
flesh of so repulsive a creature would not be likely to occur to them. Yet, 
in truth, the flesh of the Iguana is justly reckoned among one of the delicacies 
of the country where it resides, being tender, and of a peculiarly delicate 
flavour, not unlike the breast of a spring chicken. There are various modes 
of cooking the Iguana, roasting and boiling being the most common. Making 
it intu a fricassee, however, is the mode which has met with the largest 
general approval, and a dish of Iguana cutlets, when properly dressed, takes 
a very high place among the delicacies of a well-spread table. 
The eggs, too, of which the female Iguana lays from four to six dozen, are 
Co 
