246 



BRANCH CHORDATA 



the caudal vertebrae loosely joined together, but each vertebra is provided 

 with a middle cartilaginous partition, so that it is easily separated. The 

 caudal vertebra? of the Geckones and of most Lacertae break in the same 

 manner. It is one means of self defense, as the animal escapes with only 

 the loss of its tail. The popular notion of the pieces being collected again 

 is without foundation. When " the tail is broken off," and this is always 

 at this cartilaginous partition, " the cells of the remaining half reproduce a 



'J 



Fig. 202. — An'olis or American chameleon {AnuUs principalis). Al- 

 though the general color of the animal beneath is white, the upper parts 

 may quickly assume hues varying from a vivid emerald green to a dark 

 iridescent bronze color. (From Baskett and Ditmars, " The Story of the 

 Amphibians and Reptiles," D. Appleton and Co., Publishers.) 



new tail." This new tail, says Gadow, is only a " sham tail," since it does 

 not consist of a series of vertebrae, but of " a non-segmented rod or tube of 

 fibrocartilage." 



This lizard cannot climb, and does not like the water, so it may be said 

 to bo entir('l\' terrestrial. Its food consists of " snails, insects, worms, mice, 

 small lizards, birds, and vipers." It shakes its prey until the victim is 

 stunned, th(>n chews and swallows it. It does not bite when caught, but 

 winds about the wrist and emits a stinking discharge. It hides among the 



