202 



COMMON GUANA. 



its colour with the weather, or the native moisture 

 of its place of residence. I have kept a grown 

 Guana about the house for more than two months : 

 it was very fierce and ill-natured at the beginning, 

 but after some days it grew more tame, and would, 

 at length, pass the greatest part of the day upon 

 the bed or couch, but it went out always at night. 

 I have never observed it to eat any thing, except 

 what imperceptible particles it had lapped up in 

 the air ; for it frequently threw out its forked 

 tongue, like the Cameleon, as it walked along. 

 The flesh of this creature is liked by many people, 

 and frequently served up in fricasees at their 

 tables, in which state they are often preferred to 

 the best fowls. The Guana may be easily tamed 

 while young, and is both an innocent and beauti- 

 ful creature in that state." 



The female of this species is said to be smaller 

 than the male, and of brighter colours. 



VAR. ? 



Horned Guana. Le Lezard cornu. Cepede ov. 2. 493. 



This, according to Cepede^ its first describer, 

 is so much allied to the common Guana, that it 

 might almost be supposed a variety of that species, 

 which it resembles in size and general propor- 

 tions, serrated back, form of scales, &c. but is 

 destitute of the gular pouch or crest, while in 

 front of the head, between the eyes and nostrils, 

 are .seated four , rather large scaly tubercles, be? 



