nearly all the ground. While looking for some poles for
our hut, I saw on the branch of a tree overhanging the water, gazing
down upon us, a hideous monster, fully five feet long, which at the
first glance I took to be a species of alligator with which I was
unacquainted. Presently, as I gazed at it, it filled out a large bag
under its throat, and opened its hideous mouth. It was covered with
scales, had a long tail, the point of which was hid among the branches,
and enormous claws at the end of its legs. I beat a quick retreat,
calling to John to come to my assistance with his gun, for I fully
believed that the creature would leap off and attack me. The Indians,
hearing my voice, came towards me, and cut down some long thin sipos, at
the end of which they formed a running noose. Thus prepared, they
boldly advanced towards the creature, and one of them throwing up the
noose, adroitly caught it round the neck. The others, taking the end,
gave it a sudden jerk, and down it came to the ground. As soon as it
regained its feet it boldly made at them, but they nimbly leaped out of
its way; and as its movements were slow, there seemed but little risk of
its catching them.

"Why, that must be an iguana!" exclaimed John.

While some kept hauling at the creature's neck, turning it when it tried
to get away, others ran to the canoe and brought their spears, with
which they ran it through the neck, and quickly killed it. It was an
iguana (_Iguana tuberculata_). Though the head was very different from
that of the alligator, being blunt, yet, from having a number of sharp
teeth, it could evidently have given a severe bite. Its head was
somewhat large, and covered with large scales. It had an enormous wide
mouth, while under its chin was a sort of big dew-lap, which, as it had
shown me, it could inflate when angry. At the sides of the neck were a
number of tubercles, while the tail was very long, thin, and tapering.
It was of a dark olive-green, but the tail was marked with brown and
green in alternate rings. The creature was nearly six feet long. The
Indians seemed highly delighted with their prize, and as soon as our
huts were built, commenced skinning and cutting it up. Domingos assured
us that it was very good to eat, and produced a fricassee for supper,
which we could not help acknowledging was excellent. A part also was
roasted.

Shortly afterwards I saw another iguana on the ground. True darted at
it, and I