ANTERIOR LIMBS OF BIRDS, ETC. 75 



for dinging, and retaining a pertinacious grasp. 

 It is a slowlj-moving creature, and seldom 

 visits the ground, where its motions are re- 

 markably strange and awkward ; it moves 

 its limbs in succession in a groping, irresolute 

 manner, as if hesitating before finally fixing 

 them. The tail is round, tapering and strongly 

 prehensile, and aids the clasp of the toes, 

 which are five on each foot, divided into 

 two opposing sets ; that is to say, three toes, 

 united together nearly to the claws, are directed 

 outwaraly, and two, similarly united, are di- 

 rected inwardly, (not anteriorly and posteri- 

 orly,) so that their grasp around a twig, or 

 any object, is extremely tenacious ; the claws 

 are sharp and curved. The chamelion is a 

 clinging reptile, and all its actions are cautious 

 and deliberate, no part of the animal moving 

 with celerity, except its tongue, which it darts 

 out at insects, and withdraws instantane- 

 ously. Other arboreal lizards, as the iguanas, 

 h*iye only large toes, rough, with granular 

 points underneath, and furnished with long 

 claws. 



There is a curious tribe of nocturnal lizards, 

 called geckos, from their clucking cry, Avhich 

 have the feet singularly adapted to their habits 



