42 NATURALISTS5 CABINET. 



Operation of casting the skin. 



given to it, which at other times it greedily de- 

 voured. The skin in some parts of the body 

 appeared loose, and its color not so lively as be* 

 fore. It began the operation of casting the skin 

 by loosening that part about the jaws; it then 

 pushed it backward gently and gradually, both 

 above and" below the head, till it was able to slip 

 out first one leg and then the other; with these 

 legs it proceeded to thrust the skin as far back- 

 wards as they could reach. This done, it was 

 under the necessity of rubbing its body against 

 the gravel till it was more than half freed from 

 the skin, which appeared doubled back, covering 

 the hinder part of the body and the tail. The 

 animal now bent back its head, taking the skin 

 in its mouth, and, setting its feet upon it for 

 firmer hold, by degrees drew it entirely off, the 

 hind legs being dragged out in the same manner 



o o oo 



that the fore ones were before. On examining 

 the skin it was, in qvery instance, found to be 

 turned with its inside outwards, but without any 



V 



breach except at the jaws. These creatures do 

 not, however, like some of the snakes, put off 

 the coverings of the eyes along with the skin, for 

 two round holes always appear where the eyes 

 have been. 



" This operation sometimes occupies near half 

 an hour, and after it is finished the lizard appears 

 full of life and vigor. If the skin is not taken 

 away very shortly after it is cast, the animal 

 usually swallows it whole, as it does other food. 



