While the Iguanas may be described as essentially American, one or two exceptional forms are found inhabiting the relatively remote regions of the Fiji Islands and Madagascar. The so-called Fiji Banded Iguana (photographs of a pair of which, once in the writer's possession, are reproduced on page [575]) is a very beautiful creature. The body is shapely and well proportioned, and terminates in a tail of abnormal length—equal to quite twice that of the body—the entire dimensions measuring some 3 feet. The male is much more bright in hue than the female; for while the latter is usually of a uniform light green throughout, the male is variegated, with broad, alternating bands of brightest emerald-green and pale French grey. Around the lips and eyes there are lines of brightest yellow, and the throat is almost pure white.
The small group of Girdle-tailed Lizards belongs exclusively to the African and Madagascan regions, its typical representative being the Cape and Orange River Colony species, illustrated on page [575]. The symmetrical whorls of long, spinous scales encircling the tail in this and the allied forms constitute a prominent feature, and have originated the popular name of Girdle-tails.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.
AUSTRALIAN YORK OR MOUNTAIN-DEVIL.
A spinous lizard which inhabits the arid plains of Central Australia.
The most aberrant representatives of the Lizard Tribe, with regard to one very important characteristic, are undoubtedly the two species of Heloderm, or "Silatica," as they are called by the natives. These reptiles (page [576]) occupy the unenviable position of being the only known lizards which possess poisonous properties, their bite having been demonstrated to be fatal to smaller mammals, and to be attended by very serious symptoms in the case of human subjects being bitten. The more common Mexican Heloderm has been in residence at the Zoo for many years; it attains to a length of from 18 to 20 inches, and its stout, squat body, short limbs, warty skin, and peculiar colouring are calculated at first sight to awaken a feeling of revulsion in the beholder. Like the wasp, the salamander, and other animals whose conspicuous tints indicate their poisonous or other baneful properties, the heloderm is distinguished by a lurid ground-colour, varying in individuals from yellow-orange to flesh-pink, upon which are superimposed bold, network-like markings of blue-black or dark brown tints. Along the tail these reticulations usually take the form of more or less irregular rings.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.
SPINOUS LIZARD, OR MOUNTAIN-DEVIL.