CHAMELEONS. 



71 



toes are five, as in the majority of Saurians, but 

 these are arranged in two sets, three in one set, 

 and two in the other, each set being enveloped in 

 the common skin as far as the claws. These two 

 parcels of toes are opposible to each other, and 

 thus each foot forms a true grasping hand, and 

 is used in the manner which this structure in- 

 dicates ; the Chameleon moving with slow and 

 deliberate steps, always grasping with a firm hold 

 the branch on which it is creeping, before the 

 other feet are relaxed for a fresh step. The tail 

 is round and prehensile at the tip, like that of the 

 American Monkeys ; its under surface is rough- 

 ened, with small granulated papillcs^ as is that of 



SKELETON OP CHAMELEON. 



the toes also, probably for the more delicate per- 

 ception of the surface grasped. The tongue affords 

 an analogy to the same organ in the Woodpeckers, 

 no less singular than that of the feet ; for though 

 ordinarily concealed within the mouth, it is capa- 

 ble of being darted forward at its insect prey, 

 and being furnished with a glutinous secretion, 

 secures it by its adhesiveness. 



