180 



which coaled the sides. The tongue then retired, thus laden, into 

 the mouth, though somewhat more tardily than in its advance ; and 

 whenever the elongation had been considerable its extremity was 

 bent a little downwards, giving to the organ a slightly curved ap- 

 pearance. When projected the tongue acquired a thickness equal to 

 the largest swan's quill, and a length not less sometimes than six or 

 seven inches. Its consistence I attempted, on one occasion, to as- 

 certain, by catching it between my fingers, when it imparted the 

 feel of an elastic body, yielding slightly when pressed on, and 

 springing back instantly to its former state as soon as the pressure 

 was removed. The experiment caused only a short delay to its 

 progress, but neither altered its form or course, nor unfastened the 

 prey from its extremity. Its colour along the centre was a dark livid ; 

 and each side, to within about an inch of the extremity, presented 

 a whitish band, which during the act of elongation was straight 

 and uniform, but in the retraction of the organ became evidently 

 tortuous and wrinkled ; while the whole surface, both centre and 

 sides, was irregularly streaked with innumerable very minute blood- 

 vessels. Near the extremity, a .few veins much larger than the 

 others, and having a longitudinal course, were in the highest state 

 of turgescence. 



It seems probable that the tongue is the sole agent assigned to the 

 chameleon for obtaining its sustenance. Flies have often rested 

 on every part of its body, and though it has looked wistfully at 

 them, it had no means of apprehending its annoyers. I have fre- 

 quently observed them for a considerable time on its very lips with- 

 out any attempt being made at their seizure. Even when placed 

 before it, if not sufficiently distant to afford room for the necessary 

 evolution of its tongue, the chameleon was under the necessity of 

 retiring, or raising back its head for the purpose. 



