152 THE VIVARIUM. 
The tail of the Chameleon is long, with the exception of that 
of the members of the genera Brookesia and Rhampholeon, about 
the length of the head and body of the animal, conical, and 
prehensile. It is, therefore, a fifth hand. The limbs are long. 
The head and body are covered with granules instead of scales. 
The name Chameleon is derived from two Greek words which 
mean “ ground-lion.”” But why the ancients gave this unlion-like 
Reptile, which lives chiefly in trees, so strange a name is difficult 
to understand, except it be on the lucus & non lucendo principle. 
The Chameleon, as most people know, lives chiefly in trees, 
and rarely comes to the ground, where its movements are exceed- 
ingly awkward. In the trees and smaller plants it apparently 
moves with the greatest deliberation and care, its prehensile tail 
much helping the animal to maintain its upright position upon the 
branches. It sleeps carefully extended upon some suitable bough, 
which is not only firmly grasped by the four hands, but also by 
the tail. It will assume an almost similar attitude for hours while 
basking in the sun and watching for insects. — 
The colouring of the Chameleon assists it greatly in escaping 
observation, not because its colour is identical with that of the 
object upon which it is resting, but because it harmonises so com- 
pletely with its surroundings, just as a tiger, giraffe, or zebra, 
owing to the light and dark markings of its body, eludes notice 
among the lights and shades of the woods or jungles. I have 
sometimes given a Chameleon its liberty on a grape vine, and in 
an hour or two have had not a little difficulty in finding it again, 
owing to its colouring and attitude helping it so marvellously to 
escape detection. I have also taken part in a search in a compara- 
tively small conservatory, with seven other people, for a Chameleon 
which had been allowed to climb in some creepers, and it was a 
very long time before the animal was found. No wonder, then, 
that unsuspecting insects are so likely to come within range of the 
keen eyes and the active tongue of this Lizard. 
Many people who have iried to keep this very quaint and interest- 
ing creature, complain that it is impossible to get it to live through 
the winter of this country. J have had no difficulty in keeping 
this Reptile all the year round. For instance, one specimen 
which had been in my possession since the end of the summer of 
