220 
BLUEFIELDS. 
Frequently one having the advantage of a more 
elevated position, will jump on the other’s hack, but 
the latter manages to scuffle away. Their agility is 
very great; they take long and high leaps in the 
most graceful manner, always alighting with pre- 
cision : as they run on trees and bushes a good deal, 
and jump from twig to twig, this accuracy of eye in 
measuring the distance, and of muscle in clearing it, 
is important. It is quite common to see both the 
species in dwelling-houses, and even leaping on the 
persons of the inmates; their well known inoffen- 
siveness, combined with their sprightly motions, and 
gentle aspect, causing them to be viewed without any 
of that horror or disgust, which so often accompanies 
the sight of a reptile. When taken into the hand, 
however, they bite most courageously, though with 
impotent violence ; for the teeth are not long enough 
even to penetrate the epidermis of the fingers, nor 
are the muscles of the jaws sufflciently powerful to 
enable them to pinch with any inconvenience. Their 
hold, however, is tenacious. 
We still find in works of scientific authority much 
misunderstanding on the nature and colours of the 
goitre. It is continually spoken of as being inflated 
at the will of the animal : but this is quite erroneous. 
I have occasionally seen the skin of the body puffed 
out, and also the skin around the neck, but the goitre 
never. It is a portion of the common integument 
running down the mesial line of the throat, which is 
capable of being stretched to a remarkable degree. 
Down the centre pass the rami of the os Jiyoides, lying 
side by side close under the skin, and at length be- 
