CHAMjELEONTID^E. 



231 



compressed, triangular, more or less distinctly tricuspid. Palate 

 toothless. Eye large, covered by a thick granular lid pierced with 

 a small central opening for the pupil. No tympanum. Body 

 compressed ; neck very short. Vertebrae proccelian. Abdominal 

 ribs present. Limbs long, raising the body. Digits arranged in 



Fig. 06. Head of Chamcekon calcaratus, with projected tongue. 



bundles of 2 and 3 ; in the hand, the inner bundle is formed of three, 

 the outer of two digits ; it is the reverse in the foot. Tail pre- 

 hensile. Head and body coA T ered with granules or tubercles. 



Fig. 67. Hand of Chameleon calcaratus. 



Physiologically as well as anatomically, Chameleons stand by 

 themselves among Keptiles, as is evidenced by the mobility and inde- 

 pendent action of their eyes, the projectility of their tongue, the 

 slow and deliberate movements of their limbs. The changeable 

 hue of the skin, first noticed in them, is a peculiarity shared by 

 many other lizards, and especially by Calotes. 



