CLASS III. REPTILIA: ORDETl 3. SAFRIA. 
379 
THE IGUAl^IDJE. 
These constitute another exceedingly numerous family. They arc frequently of considerable 
size; the head is unusually broad and 
flattened, and often furnished with comb- 
like ridges or membraneous lobes, and 
similar appendages are usually continued 
along the back. The throat, also, is al- 
most ahvays furnished with membraneous 
expansions of some kind; these some- 
times constitute large frills on the sides 
of the neck. The eyes are always fur- 
nished with lids, Avhich can be completely 
closed ; the ears are freely exposed, and 
the tongue is short and thick, and fi*ee 
only at the tip. Many of the species are 
of the most brilliant green color, but they 
suddenly change this gay painting on 
being alarmed, and become of more 
sober coloring; some of them, under 
these circumstances become completely 
black. 
Germs IGUANA : Iguana. — This includes the Common Iguana, I. iuherculata, which may be 
regarded as the type of the family ; it is a large lizard, Avhich attains a length of four or five feet, 
and is common in all the tropical parts of America. It is of a greenish color, mottled with a 
brighter green, and banded with brown on the tail ; along the back runs a comb-like crest, and 
the throat is furnished with a large membraneous expansion, which is also denticulated in front. 
This reptile is much sought after in the countries where it abounds, its flesh being regarded as 
a great dehcacy, although it is said not to be particularly wholesome. It passes a great part of 
its existence in trees, and is commonly taken when resting on a branch, by slipping a noose over 
its head, its captor whistling to it while engaged in the operation. Its teeth have the crowns 
compressed and serrated, and it lives principally upon fruits and seeds. It is said to take the 
water freely, and to swim with facility. 
Genus BASILISCUS : Basiliscus. — The Basilisk, B. Amerkanus, although perfectly harm- 
less, is certainly one of the most hideous of reptiles in its appearance. It is found in South 
America, and occasionally attains a length of upward of three feet. Instead of the comb-like 
dorsal ridge of the Iguana, it is furnished with a broad membrane running down the back, and 
a second, still broader, on the upper surface of the tail, and these are supported by a series of 
bones, consisting of the elongated spinous processes of the dorsal and caudal vertebree, and having 
the appearance of long perpendicular fins. 
THE AGAMID^. 
These seem to take the place of the Iguanas in the Old World. They are principally inhabitants 
of the warmer regions of Asia and Australia, and the intervening islands ; a few are found in the 
south of Australia, Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand, and a few others in Africa, from 
Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope. One remarkable genus is found in the United States. In 
their general form, and in the character of their peculiar appendages, they closely resemble the 
American Iguanas ; but some of them are particularly remarkable. One of these is the Chlamy- 
dosauriis Kingii, which is not uncommon in the neighborhood of Port Essington. The appear- 
ance of this hzard is most extraordinary ; it is furnished with a curious crenated membrane, 
forming a sort of frill or tippet round its neclc, and covering its shoulders. Each side of this 
singular appendage is furnished with four cartilaginous plates, by means of which it can be folded 
THE COMMON IGUANA. 
