Marvels of the Universe 



589 



seize all or part of the insect at which the Chameleon is aiming. In any case, the saliva which 

 covers the extremitx* of the tongue is so sticky that it adheres to any creature with which it comes 

 into contact. 



The Chameleon has become proverbial from its power to assume rapidly changes of colour and 

 its ob\aous ability to suit its colour to its surroundings within certain limits. The mechanism by 

 which these changes of colour are achieved is of a \'ery complicated nature, and those wishing to 

 understand it are advised to consult technical works of biology. It is due to a shifting of colour- 

 cells backwards and forwards to the surface of the skin, and the colours range from white and black 



Frf/m a Lilhnfjra]>h\ 



\ braicii J'or Ihf Znn/of/ical Societii of London. 



THE LONG-NOSED CHAMELEON. 



This is the adult male of a strange-looUine species of Chameleon discovered in 1900, on the eastern side of Ruwenzori. by 

 Sir Harry Johnston's Expedition. These projections of the bones of the face and forehead, covered with sUin and scales, 

 arc only developed in the male forms, and. like the horns in an allied species, are intended merely for show and not for any 

 purpose of offence 



to green, yellow, bluish-grey and reddish-brown (even brighter tints exist in a South African species). 

 But this colour changing is not confined to Chameleons. It is almost equally developed in one or 

 two American lizards and in Indian Agama lizards. 



Two genera of Chameleons are found in Tropical .A.frica (apart from Madagascar). One of these 

 is peculiar to the great forest belt stretching from the Cameroons to Uganda. This genus produces 

 species almost equally small with th; tiny Chameleon of Madagascar. In South Africa there is 

 likewise a very small Chameleon, which is remarkable for producing its young alive. The species 

 here illustrated, however, is a large animal, and is found in the forests of Ruwenzori. The male 

 of one kind develops three remarkable horns, and of another an immense projection on the nose, 

 and also over the top of the skull. 



