THE LIZARDS 129 



gascar and another in the Fiji and Friendly Islands. 



The Anoles, genus Anolis: At the start we en- 

 counter the largest genus of the family, embracing over 

 a hundred species. The Anoles are sometimes called 

 chameleons, though the title properly belongs to an 

 Old World family, the members of which are remark- 

 able in continually varying from one hue to another. 

 Yet the members of the present genus are well worthy 

 of the title. Their color changes are quite as pro- 

 nounced and rapid as with the clownish members of the 

 Chamceleontidce. 



None among the Anoles grows to a large size. The 

 development of the feet is striking and unique among 

 lizards. With most of the species each toe is expanded 

 in the form of an adhesive pad. The effect is not like 

 that of the gecko's foot — a disk-like "sucker" at the end 

 of each toe. The adhesive pad occupies the central por- 

 tion of the toe and is of an elongated form. Thus pro- 

 vided, the Anoles can run up smooth, vertical surfaces, 

 or run, body downward, on a horizontal plane. The 

 body is covered with minute, granular scales. Quite 

 large in proportion to the animal's size, the head is rather 

 alligator-like in its outlines — hence the species are some- 

 times called "alligator" lizards. The tail is rather long 

 and slender ; it may be much compressed, or round. 



The Anoles are extremely lively and pretty creatures, 

 either running with great speed or jumping from branch 

 to branch; and the latter movements are the more char- 

 acteristic owing to the great development of the hind 

 limbs. The colors vary from brown to yellow and vivid 

 shades of green. Male specimens are provided with a 

 movable throat appendage, which is distended in fan-like 

 fashion when the animal is excited, flashing a dazzling 

 hue of red or yellow, according to the species. 



