SNAKES, TURTLES, LIZARDS, CROCODILES 247 



over the eye and when not in use, is folded in the inner 

 corner of the eye. 



The ears and nostrils. — Posterior to the corners of the 

 mouth are the conspicuous tympanic membranes of the ears. 



The nostrils are situated on the anterior end of the head 

 and open into the mouth. 



The mouth and teeth. — The mouth is a wide, slitlike 

 aperture extending nearly from ear to ear around the an- 

 terior border of the head. The jaws are not dilatable like 

 those of a snake, but each one is furnished with a row of 

 small, conical teeth. On the floor of the mouth is the nar- 

 row, fleshy tongue with a forked extremity. 



Locomotion. — Some hzards are very swift of movement 

 and quickly scurry out of sight when alarmed. Others are 

 sluggish of movement because the legs are weak and unable 

 to bear the weight of the body. The digits of the lizard's 

 hands and feet end in sharp claws which enable it to climb 

 trees and run nimbly along old logs, rails, etc. 



Food and manner of eating. — Lizards hve largely upon 

 insects which they catch alive in their capacious mouths. 

 Dr. Shufeldt gives an interesting account of the manner in 

 which the little American chameleon ate a butterfly. He 

 says, "I was so fortunate, not long ago, as to catch one in 

 the act the instant after he had made a successful spring 

 upon rather a large butterfly. The body of the insect was 

 in his mouth while the wings were violently flapping the 

 sides of the hzard's face. The reptile would clinch his jaws 

 together spasm.odically two or three times, shutting his 

 eyes with a very tight squeeze every time he did so. At last 

 his prey was silent, when with a few energetic lacks he tore 

 off the creature's wings and disposed of its body sans cere- 

 monie." 



