^ GECKOS CHAMELEONS. 49 



~FAMILY OF GECKO HANS. 



33. The Saurians designated under the collective name of 

 Geckos^ are nocturnal animals, dull and heavy in appearance ; 

 their walk is crawling, and their squat and flattened form is in 

 striking contrast with that of most of the reptiles we have here- 

 tofore mentioned. Their head is wide and depressed ; their eyes 

 are very large, and very prominent ; their jaws are armed all 

 round with a single row of small teeth ; but there are none in the 

 palate. Their tongue is fleshy, and not extensile ; the body is 

 studded above by small granular scales, among which are larger 

 tubercles, (the whole resembling shagreen,) and covered beneath 

 by flat, imbricated scales ; their feet are moderate in size, and their 

 five, almost equal toes, are ordinarily widened throughout, or in 

 part, armed with retractile nails, and furnished beneath with a fold 

 of skin, by the aid of which they adhere to bodies upon which they 

 walk. This conformation of the toes enables them to walk easily 

 on the smoothest walls, and even upon ceilings. During the day, 

 they conceal themselves in obscure places, and, at night, more 

 especially, they seek spiders, and other animals upon which they 

 feed. The ugliness of these reptiles is extreme, and we are 

 assured, that the contact of their feet on our skin, often excites 

 a sort of inflammation : they are everywhere objects of aversion, 

 and they are charged with being venomous, but this opinion is 

 not sustained by positive proof. 



The Geckos are very numerous, and disseminated throughout 

 the warm parts of both continents. 



FAMILY OF CHAMELEONS. 



34. The Chameleons, Chamceleo, are Fig, 13. 

 distinguished from all other Saurians by their 



toes, which are five in number on all their feet, 

 but divided into two opposable parcels or bun- 

 dles, an arrangement which makes these ani- 

 mals essentially climbers, destined to live on 

 the branches of trees, (Fig. 13.) A number 

 of peculiarities of organization separates them 

 from all the reptiles we have thus far con- 

 sidered. Their tail, round and prehensile, 

 serves them as a fifth extremity, in suspend- 

 ing themselves from branches, and aids them 

 in their slow and awkward movements. Their 



33. What are Geckos ? What are their general characters? 



34. What are the distinguishing characters of Chameleons ? Upon what 

 do they feed ? How does the Chameleon change its colour ? What are the 

 peculiarities of the skin in Chameleons ? 



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