LIZARDS AND TORTOISES 91 



and I have often been warned, almost implored, not to 

 handle even the innocent chameleon ! 



The latter little creature, with its big goggle eyes, which 

 seem to move on pivots, is quite the domestic animal. 

 Put it on the leaves of a good big plant where plenty of 

 flies come to settle, and it seldom displays much ambition 

 to change its quarters. It merely adapts its colour to 

 its background, and sits still. Perhaps presently a fly 

 settles near by, but just out of reach. First one of the 

 big goggle eyes swings slowly round and focusses on the 

 insect. After a pause for consideration, the chameleon 

 takes one very slow and cautious step in the direction 

 of its destined prey. Another pause, and then with a 

 lightning swiftness quite out of keeping with what we 

 have previously noted about the animal, out and back 

 darts the long sticky tongue ; the fly has simply vanished. 

 The chameleon slowly and contentedly champs his jaws 

 for a moment or two, and then resumes his expectant 

 pose. Patience personified. 



TORTOISES. South Africa possesses several species of 

 tortoises, of which the leopard tortoise is the largest, 

 attaining a maximum length of between two and three 

 feet. It is relished by many tribes as food. This is a 

 land species. There are two water types. One of these 

 is able to close up the front openings of its shell when 

 head and limbs have been drawn in. The water tor- 

 toises have a disagreeable odour, and are less edible than 

 the land types. In the heat of the day they may be seen 

 swimming about in the pools, their snake-like heads 

 occasionally appearing above the surface for air. They 

 reach a length of about twenty inches. 



