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assuming, at the foot and along the toes, a convex and smooth ap¬ 
pearance. Under the fore-legs they are smaller, and peculiarly so at 
the joints and under the feet; the most delicate, however, are those 
under the leg, and connecting it with the body. The hind-legs are 
similarly clothed to the fore-legs, excepting that they are provided 
with a single row of femoral pores, fourteen or fifteen in number, and 
which increase in size with the growth of the reptile. These pores 
are large and fully developed in the male, but small and sometimes 
even hardly perceptible in the female. 
The scales of the belly are very different from those of the back, 
being larger, equal, and carinated, although generally worn almost 
smooth in the old individuals. They are divided by a distinct line 
from the termination of the dewlap to the vent. 
The Iguanas live principally in trees, and near the windward coast 
of the island. They are not much seen excepting in the months of 
February, March, and April, when they quit their hiding-places, and 
repair to the sea-shore or other sandy places to lay their eggs in the 
sand. The older females lay a great number of eggs ; I have known 
an instance of one in confinement laying five in one day ; and thirty- 
two, within the space of ten minutes, five days afterwards, making 
thirty-seven in all. I have taken the eggs from the bellies of small 
females in less numbers, such as eight, fourteen, and seventeen. They 
are not found in successive stages of advancement as in the hen, the 
tortoise, and many other animals, but all of the same size, and arrived 
at the same degree of maturity. Nor are the eggs always disposed, 
as I have seen it stated, in two rows, one on each side of the belly of 
the female. When very small, they are arranged in a long irregular 
cluster, closely packed together, and they seem to retain the same 
relative position as they increase in size. The eggs are very liable 
to destruction from ants, which fact probably accounts for their being 
usually deposited in sea sand. They are also hunted for and eaten 
by the Pilori (Mas pilorides ), or cc Rat Musque,” and by a bird 
called the <f Trembler.’ 5 They are soft and without any white, and 
their shell resembles the most beautiful kid used for French gloves, 
of a very light straw-colour. They are about the size of those of a 
pigeon, but rather longer; they vary however in dimensions, accord¬ 
ing to the age and size of the Iguana. 
This Iguana is not averse to water, when not too cold, taking to it 
only when the sun is shining ; in fact, not moving about much at any 
other time. Its mode of swimming differs from that of other lizards, 
inasmuch as it places its four legs close by the side of its body, and 
swims entirely with its tail. It dives with great facility, and remains 
sometimes for a considerable time under water. I believe that the 
Iguana never ventures into the sea. The tail is a veiy valuable limb ; 
for besides being the sole means of swimming possessed by the ani¬ 
mal, it is of great use in climbing trees, although not prehensile ; and 
it is a most important weapon of defence, a blow from it being fre¬ 
quently sufficient to inflict a severe wound. In fact, this reptile is 
rather formidable when brought to bay in the woods. It is hunted 
