COLLECTION OF REPTILES. 3g5 



see it often represented on Egyptian monuments : 

 the elegant tupinambis of Java and the neigh- 

 bouring islands, brought by M. Lesehenault ; this 

 traveller states, that these animals assemble in 

 considerable number on the banks of rivers, 

 where awaiting the approach of quadrupeds that 

 come to quench their thirst, they make a joint 

 attack upon them, drown and devour them : 

 the dragonne, sent from Cayenne by M. Martin ; 

 it is an excellent swimmer, and retires into bur- 

 rows by the waterside : the safeguard of Ame- 

 rica, a beautiful lizard spotted with blue on a 

 black ground, with rings of the same colour on 

 its tail; the flesh of this and of the former is 

 much esteemed : lastly, the iguana of South Ame- 

 rica, so remarkable on account of the crest which 

 it has on its back, and for its indented dewlap. 

 This animal is most always found on trees, where 

 it attracts attention by the brilliancy of its co- 

 lours ; it lives on insects and vegetables, is of a 

 gentle nature and easy to tame ; but during the 

 pairing season the male is fierce, watches con- 

 stantly over the female, and becomes furious if 

 any one approaches her. The iguanas are highly 

 esteemed, and are hunted for the sake of their 

 flesh and eggs, which are considered an excellent 

 food ; one of the species we see here has on this 

 account been named iguana delicatissima. The 



