ANIMALS. 
til the Alligator is satisfied that his " trap" is full, when he shuts 
the ponderous door, and opens his eyes as composedly as if 
nothing had happened. 
Several species of Turtle are found both on the Gulf and 
Pacific coast, including the Green Turtle, whose flesh is so much 
esteemed as a wholesome and delicious food. There are also 
numerous species of Land Tortoises. A variety common in the 
lagoons bordering the Pacific coast are much valued for their 
shells ; the combs manufactured from them by the natives are 
very beautiful. The Lizards present an almost endless variety. 
The species known as the Moloch Lizard (Moloch horridus), which 
are occasionally met with, are a foot in length, armed with two 
horns, and completely covered with small irregular scales, to 
which are attached large conical acute spines of a horny sub- 
stance, altogether giving them a very ferocious appearance. 
The Iguana (I. tuberculata) is a genus of reptiles common on the 
Isthmus. It somewhat resembles in form and appearance the 
common lizard, being principally distinguished by a long flap 
or fold of skin under the throat, and a dentated crest along the 
back. It attains a great size, being from two to four feet in 
length. It is generally found in the trees bordering the streams, 
and when alarmed takes to the water, displaying on these occa- 
sions great activity. As an article of food, this animal is es- 
teemed a great delicacy. It is the representative of a large 
class of fossils found in the upper secondary and tertiary beds, 
the species of which are now extinct. 
The family of serpents constitutes a remarkable exception to 
the general fecundity which characterizes the developments of 
the animal kingdom in this country. Though there are numer- 
ous species of these reptiles, many of which are poisonous, yet 
the number belonging to each individual species is very limited, 
a fact which may be attributed to a variety of causes. In the 
central and southern divisions of the Isthmus an important 
agent in the destruction of reptiles of every description is fire, 
which annually sweeps over the prairies, burning every thing in 
its ran^e. The numerous birds of prey also destroy many ser- 
pents ; and on the Atlantic plains their numbers are reduced by 
the periodic overflow of extensive tracts of country. They are, 
