, 1885-08-29
Z 4 BIC LlzAao


~ IfFtlhAN hN'A''~ 'f'ffNN'
DeiIoacy Inehsnted by Music.
tDaa c. Tcanl in Sriel iir Americanl
one can scarcely imagine a moro ter
rible looking creature than a full grown
iguana. Instead Of being discouraged.
however, by its looks, the animal seems
TO delight in its uglincss, and to a great
extent rely upon its formidable appear
ance for protection. When alarmed. II
will puff itself up. erect the spine upon
its hack. and expect by this means to
frighten away its enemies: and it It's
harmless nature were not well known ii
would seldom lie molested, hut might
bask in the sun for centuries 10 come,
instead OF becoming a comparative
rarity by gradual determination .
The com non iguana Is from three TO
Eve and even six feet long when full
grown. II inhabits the West Indies and
tropical America, and belongs 10 an ex-
ceedingly numerous family of lizards
As n rule, all of these relati cS have
road. Hat heads, often ornamented
with cOmb-liko ridges or membranous
lobes similar appendages usually con
tinue along the dorsal region. The
throat is almost invariably furnished
with "A dewlap, or membranous G pan
nf'l VI nbtnN hllhs lhtli tJto Alt III
ways furnished with lids, which may
lc completely closed; their tongues are
short, thick, and only free at the end.
and their ears are freely exposed.
There can be but little doubt but that
the white population of tropical Amer
lea earned to cat tho flesh of the igu-
IN from the ancient indians. In Mr..
ryan Edwards History of the West
InIsaa - nuIltahal a1,r. no
he says. II believe 1t seldom happens
that they tthe iguana) were served at
any English table. but their French and
Spanish neighbors still deyour them
with exquisite relish. Mr.. Edwards
also says he has been assured by a lady
OF great beauty and elegance, who
spoke from experience, that the ignana
is elual in ilavor'and wholesomeness TO
the finest green turtle"
The old time priests evidently enjoyed
the flesh of this lizard as well as the
sport . its capture, il we NAV ,udge
from The following @ tract from the
writings of Father Labat, which APP
peared in Tho Sporting Maya inc for
September, i50t;
I'VE were attended,, says he, by a
negro, who carried a long rod. at ono
thi VI NHltu WIS u piece OF Mulp cora
with n running knot. After beating the
bushes some time, the negro discovered
our game basking in the sun. on a dry
limb oil a tree, hereupon he began
whistling with all his might, to whica
the guiana was wonderfully attentive,
stretching out his head and turning his
neck, as if to en- oy it more fully. The
negro now approached, still whistling,
and, advancing his rod gently.
began tickling with the end OF
it the sides and throat OF
the iguana, who seemed nightly
pleased with the operation, for he
turned on his back and stretched him
self out like n cat before a ire, and Mt
length fairly fell asleep; which the
negro perceiving, dexterously slipped
the moose over his head, and with n Jerk
brought him to the ground. Good sport
IL afforded continues the reverend his
%torian) to see the treature swell like "a
turkey cock at finding himself en-
trapped. We caught others in the same
way, and kept n of them alive seven
or eight days, but it grieved me TO the
heart that he thereby lost much de-
lieious fat.