172 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 
species, attain to a considerable 
length, 5 or 6 feet; their bodies 
are proportionably thick, and the 
white flesh, in this last-named 
variety more particularly, is highly 
esteemed as a table delicacy. The 
common Tuberculated Iguana 
is an essentiall)' handsome species, 
its skin being variegated with 
bands and shadings of brown and 
green, which are lightest and 
brightest in the males and younger 
individuals; the neck and snout 
and jaws are decorated with pro- 
jecting, rounded tubercles ; a large, 
baggy, dewlap-like membrane, 
capable of inflation at the animal’s 
will, depends from the chin and 
throat ; and a deeply serrated crest 
of elevated scales extends from 
behind the head, down the centre 
of the back, nearly to the extremity 
of the tail. 
The Iguana Family includes 
a species with essentially marine 
proclivities, this being the GALA- 
PAGOS Sea-lizard. This animal 
was first discovered to science by 
the late Mr. Charles Darwin, who 
found it in considerable numbers on the shores of the 
islands which constitute the Galapagos group. The lizards 
were observed to spend much of their time swimming in 
the sea, but at no very great distap,v;e from the land. Experi- 
ments proved tliat they could live for a very considerable 
interval entirely submerged, examples sunk with weights for 
as much as an hour emerging entirely unaffected from the 
ordeal. 
While the Iguanas may be described as essentially 
American, one or two e.xceptional forms are found inhabiting 
the relatively remote regions of the Fiji Islands and Mada- 
gascar. The so-called Fiji Banded Iguana (photographs of 
a pair of which, once in the writer’s possession, are reproduced 
on page 575) is a very beautiful creature. The body is 
shapely and well proportioned, and terminates in a tail of 
abnormal length — equal to quite twice that of the body — 
the entire dimensions measuring some 3 feet. The male is 
much more bright in hue than the female; for while the 
latter is usually of a uniform light green throughout, the 
male is variegated, with broad, alternating bands of brightest 
l*hoto by IV. Suviiit-Keni^ 
A YOUNG bearded LIZARD 
Showing its habitual sleeping attitude 
Photo by IV. Savilli~ Kenty F.Z.S. 
bearded lizard 
IVith its beard-like throat-membrane fully expanded 
Photo by IP'. Savillt-Kant. F.Z..?-! [Mil/ord-on-Sea 
AUSTRALIAN JEW OR BEARDED LIZARDS 
The scales of the bearded lizard are exceedingly rough and sharp., sometimes cutting the skin 
of those who handle them incautiously 
