318 VERTBBEATES 



eggs among the sand, which are in number from thirteen to 

 twenty-five ; they are very small in proportion to the size of the 

 animal, being a little longer, and about the same thickness as 

 pigeons' eggs. 



The Flying Dragon is a harmless little lizard, bearing 

 small resemblance to the terrific animal so graphically depicted by 



Retsch. . This curious little lizard 

 lives on trees, and feeds on insects 

 instead of devouring pilgrims 

 bound to the Gnadenbilde. The 

 peculiar structure of its body 

 bears a lingular resemblance to 

 that of the flying squirrel. The 

 TheXi^Tnragon. ^^st six false ribs are greatly 



elongated, and support a wing- 

 like expansion of skin, which, when stretched, serves to bear them 

 up as they skim through the air from one tree to another. While 

 running about on the branches, the so-called wings are folded to 

 the side, but when it wishes to throw itself from the tree^ the ribs 

 are raised, and the wings expanded. It is common in Java, India, 

 and Borneo. 



The Common Chameleon is plentifully found in North- 

 ern Africa, the south of Spain, and Sicily. It lives on trees, but 

 exhibits lione of the activity usually found in arboreal reptiles. 

 On the contrary, its movements are absurdly grave and solemn. 

 The whole activity of the animal seems to be centered in its 

 tocgue, by means of which organ it secures flies and other insecta 

 with such marvellous rapidity, that the ancients may be well par- 

 doned for their assertion that the air formed the only food of the 

 Chameleon. 



There is something very peculiar in the structure and form 

 ' of the eyes. They are almost an inch in diameter. They are of 

 a globulous figure, and stand out considerably; and they move 

 much, and in a contrary direction. Each eye has only one eyelid, 

 with a small hole in the middle, through which the sight of the 

 eye appears no larger than a pin's head. The four feet are of 



