Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/111

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IGUANAS.
103

sorted to by the huntsman. He approaches gently, whistling as he advances; this attracts the attention of the reptile, and appears to please it, for it advances its head further from its retreat. When the huntsman is come sufficiently near, he gently rubs the end of his pole against the sides and throat of the Iguana, who not only suffers this sort of caress without resistance, but appears to return and enjoy it. The huntsman continuing to employ these means, induces his victim to expose its head sufficiently to allow him to pass a loop, which is fastened to the end of his pole, over the head and round the neck of the reptile; and this accomplished, he brings it to the ground with a violent jerk, and places his foot on its body. The Iguana now proves itself less passive than usual, for when it finds its confidence deceived, and itself captured, it exerts itself with violence, rolls its sparkling eyes, and inflates its throat; but such efforts are useless, the huntsman manages to tie its fore -feet together, and to secure them under the creature's throat, so that it can neither fly nor fight. If taken alive, it appears at first sullen and intractable, but after a time becomes domesticated, and runs about the house and garden with as much confidence as a cat.”

Catesby’s account of the Iguana was probably derived from personal acquaintance with it in the Bahama Islands. He says,—

“These reptiles nestle in hollow trees; their eggs have not a hard shell like those of alligators, but a skin only, like those of a turtle, and are esteemed good food. They lay a great number of eggs at a time in the earth, which are hatched by the sun's heat. The Guanas furnish