FIGURE NO. 21 



A CHAMELEON ON A BRANCH 



Chamaeleons (Chamceleo) are lizards specialized for 

 arboreal life. Many structures in the body are par- 

 ticularly well suited for the conditions of the chamae- 

 leon's life. This is a case where we may well say that 

 the animal is a bundle of fitnesses or adaptations. Thus 

 the tail is prehensile, and moves in an unusual way, — 

 dorso-ventrally, so that it can be readily coiled round 

 the branch. The hands and feet are split in halves, the 

 better to grip the support. The tongue is unusually 

 long, and can be shot out from a distance on the insect 

 booty. The color changes rapidly and is often a con- 

 cealment; though the changes are also expressive of 

 varying moods. There are many other adaptations. 



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