146 SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES. 



Not less wonderful than tlie eye is the tongue of this in- 

 teresting animal. It is cylindrical in shape, about six 

 inches in length, and terminates in a fleshy, dilatable, and 

 somewhat tubular tip, covered with a glutinous secretion 

 that enables the chameleon to seize its insect food and draw 

 it towards its mouth. The five toes of each foot are 

 wrapped round and united together by a thick membrane, 

 so as to divide them into a couple of groups ; one contain- 

 ino- three, and the other two. Each toe is furnished with 

 a long and strong hooked claw. Hence, instead of creepmg 

 alono- the ground like the lizard, the chameleon dwells 

 among the trees, and grasps the branches with one group 

 of fingers before and the other behind, in the same mamier 

 as the parrot or woodpecker. It is further fitted for an 

 arboreal life by its long prehensile tail, with which it can 

 swing itself from a bough like a monkey. It is to be 

 observed, however, that all its movements are slow and 

 deliberate ; it does not sport among the trees like a squirrel, 

 but shows more of the proverbial slowness of the sloth. 

 On the ground it walks with a curiously grave and 

 dignified gait, as if it were marching in some solemn pro- 

 cession. 



But this slowness of locomotion does not prove any 

 obstacle to its capture of the insects on which it feeds, 

 owing to the rapid motions of its tongue, and the arrange- 

 ment of its eyes, which enables it to discover its prey at a 

 considerable distance and in all directions. When about 

 to seize a victim, it rolls round its eyeballs until their gaze 

 is directed full upon it. Then, as soon as it comes within 

 reach of the tongue, that wonderful instrument is aimed at 



