of the Common Chameleon. 



then another, at the same time securing themselves by their 

 tails ; and we have often observed them trust entirely to this 

 organ, when descending from twig to twig, and sometimes been 

 impressed with the similarity between their motions and those 

 of some of the monkey tribes, having prehensile tails. 



Sluggish though the chameleon generally be, there are parti- 

 cular organs which form eminent exceptions to this general re- 

 mark, and this is particularly the case with the eyes. These 

 organs, except when the animals were asleep, were used with 

 great alacrity ; and it is no exaggeration to say, that they were 

 continually rolling in all directions, with the singular peculiarity 

 of each eye having an independent motion, as mentioned by Cu- 

 vier and others. This fact we have frequently observed ; and it 

 was not an uncommon thing to see one eye directed upwards, and 

 the other downwards ; or one backwards, and the other in an 

 opposite direction, at the same time. Thus, in a beautiful man- 

 ner, one function is made to compensate for the want of another; 

 for, though naturally sluggish in the motion of its body gene- 

 rally, it enjoys a more extensive sphere of vision than any other 

 animal in similar circumstances ; and is thus enabled to disco- 

 ver its prey over a much larger surface, than, did it not possess 

 the extensive motion of its eyes mentioned, it otherwise could. 



They lived entirely upon insects, and these were tempted to 

 approach l)y besmearing the twigs in the cage with honey. On 

 observing one — which was easily known by their keeping one or 

 both eyes stedfastly fixed on it for a short time — the method of 

 attack pursued was to the following effect. They slowly moved 

 towards their prey, as if afraid to disturb it ; at the same time 

 keeping their eyes firmly fixed upon the insect until within a 

 few inches of it, then on a sudden darting forth the tongue, and 

 as suddenly withdrawing it, they secured their prey, which very 

 voracious mastication and deglutition soon disposed of. 



The greatest distance to which we have obsen^ed the tongue 

 protruded, was about five inches, generally less, never more. 

 This organ, protruded by strong muscular power, is, we believe, 

 chiefly returned to the mouth by an apparatus attached to its 

 base, which acts by its resiliency, in a somewhat similar way to 

 the elasticity of a silk purse, when drawn out, and suddenly let 

 go. The better to enable them to seize their prey, the extre- 



