THE CROCODILE IN PALESTINE. 147 



it with a precision tliat never fails, and is drawn back into 

 the mouth w^ith its prize adhering to its viscous tip. This 

 tongue can be extended to a length equalling, and some- 

 times surpassing, that of the creature's body. 



Another characteristic of the chameleon is connected 

 with its skin. This is not adherent everywhere to the 

 muscles, and into the occasional blanks, or empty spaces, 

 the air penetrates, so that at the creature's will its skin 

 heaves and swells like a rising wave. This skin contains 

 two layers of membranous colouring matter, placed one 

 above the other, but arranged in such a manner that they 

 may both show at once under or through the cuticle, or 

 that one only may appear, or that the cuticle shall 

 temporarily disappear under the superficial pigment. To 

 this peculiarity is due the remarkable variation of colour 

 which distinguishes the chameleon, and has rendered it 

 proverbial: at times it seems of a wdiitish, at others of 

 a greenish hue, or the shade may be red, yellow, and even 

 black. 



In speaking of the reptiles of Palestine, a recent writer 

 remarks that the crocodile does not occur ; but Mr. 

 Macgregor met with a specimen in the course of his canoe- 

 voyage down the Jordan. He was exploring the Kislion, 

 one of the tributaries of the Mediterranean, and, when 

 near the southern bank, suddenly heard a strange sound 

 quite near him ; a measured breathing, gurgling, hissing 

 sound. After this had been repeated, he quickly turned 

 round to discover, if he could, the cause. Judge of his sur- 

 prise when, within a foot of his paddle, and close to his 



