AMBOINA GUANA. 205 



purplish cast ; the sides and abdomen pale-brown 

 or greyish, spotted by the round white scales be- 

 fore mentioned. 



This Lizard, according to Valentyn, resides in 

 the neighbourhood of rivers and other fresh waters. 

 It is frequently observed on the banks of rising 

 grounds, as well as on the lower kind of shrubs 

 which grow near the water, but does not ascend 

 the taller trees. When disturbed by the approach 

 of men, dogs, &c. it instantly plunges into the 

 water, and hides itself beneath the rocks or stones 

 under the banks, from whence, however, it may 

 be easily taken ; and, when caught, does not at- 

 tempt to bite, or defend itself, but seems, as it 

 were, stupefied. It may also be caught by a noose 

 or snare. It lays its eggs in the sand ; especially 

 near the small islets of the rivers it frequents : 

 these eggs, while in the belly of the animal, are of 

 a yellow colour, and are disposed into two long 

 groupes or clusters, but when laid are white, and 

 of an oblong shape. 



The male and female differ considerably in size 

 and distribution of colours ; the female being of a 

 more obscure tinge than the male, and having but 

 little appearance of the crest or process on the tail. 

 This animal is more esteemed as a food than even 

 the common Guana, and its flesh is said to be 

 very white, sweet, and of a penetrating odor. 

 Valentyn, who had attended to the anatomy of 

 the animal, informs us, that it has a small trian- 

 gular heart ; an oblong liver, with a round gall- 

 bladder ; small reddish lungs, slightly tinged with 



