CHAMELEONS. 137 



still see in them animals most worthy of observation and highly- 

 interesting to the naturalist, as well for the singular formation 

 of different parts of their bodies as for their remarkable habits, 

 and even for peculiarities which have given some sanction to the 

 errors and prejudices to which we have alluded. 



Chameleons have compressed bodies ; the back round and pro- 

 jecting, or rather pyramidal; the skin granulated; the head 

 angular, with salient occiput resting on a short and thick neck ; 

 their legs are slender ; the hind, as well as the fore toes are five ; 

 the tail prehensile and round. The eyes are very large and 

 protruding, their globes covered by a single shagreen-like eyelid, 

 which the animal can dilate or contract at will, but which 

 leaves little liberty to a small hole pierced at the centre, through 

 which a quick and rather brilliant eye-ball is perceived. The 

 eyes, in the Chameleon, are thus completely enveloped, as if 

 they were too delicate to sustain any glaring light ; but this 

 is not all their eyes have a singular mobility. By certain 

 special muscular arrangements they have the power to direct 

 them on objects either together or separate. Sometimes they turn 

 their eyes in such a manner that one eye looks back and the 

 other forward. With one eye they can see objects above them, 

 while with the other they can see those situated below. It is 

 a common saying in France, applied to the Chameleon, "that 

 it could look into Champagne and see Picardy in flames." 



The vermiform and retractile tongue is also a most singular 

 organ. It is cylindrical, about six inches long, terminating 

 in a fleshy, dilatable, and somewhat tubular tip, which is covered 

 with a glutinous secretion, by the aid of which it seizes its 

 insect food, and draws it towards its mouth. The feet have 

 five very long and almost equal strong and hooked claws, but 

 the skin of the legs extends to the end of these toes, and 

 unites them in a very peculiar manner. Not only is this skin 

 attached to each of the toes, but it envelops them, and forms, 

 as it were, two bundles, the one of three fingers, and the other 

 of two. From this structure one can anticipate the extreme differ- 

 ence which exists between the habits of Chameleons and those of 

 Lizards. These two bundles of long toes are placed in such a 

 manner as to enable them to seize the branches easily on which 



