THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 81 



The aquatic birds most common are herons, 

 cranes, pelicans and ducks, which are found upon 

 the inland streams and along the coast. 



The class of reptiles embraces a great variety of 

 formidable and poisonous animals, such as the alli- 

 gator, which is found in the marshes, and along the 

 rivers, in great numbers ; the boa constrictor, 

 although not common, is yet occasionally seen, with 

 a great variety of other snakes, lizards, guanas, &c. 

 The guana, or iguana, belongs to the class of lizards, 

 but differs from them in many particulars. They are 

 often found three or four feet long, and move about 

 with great velocity, equally expert upon land, in 

 the water, or upon the branches of a tree. Some of 

 them have projecting spines along the back, and flat 

 tails like an eel, with which they move themselves 

 through the water. They lay their eggs in the sand, 

 and leave them to be hatched by the warmth of the 

 sun. The natives sometimes cut them open and re- 

 move their eggs, after which they are said to recover. 

 The flesh is as delicate as a chicken, and very much 

 liked by some persons. 



Frogs and toads are said to be very numerous, 

 and of enormous size upon this Isthmus ; yet I saw 

 but very few, although I was there during the whole 

 of the rainy season, when such animals are most ra- 

 pidly propagated. Although numerous and veno- 

 mous as reptiles are, not a single serious wound oc- 

 curred that came under my observation, among all 

 the men employed upon the public works, although 

 constantly exposed to them. 



