278 



REPTILES. 



[Chap. IX. 



ments. As usually observed it is of a dull greenish 

 brown, but when excited its back becomes a rich olive 

 green, leaving the head yellowish : the underside of the 

 body is of a very pale blue, almost approaching white. 

 The open mouth exhibits the fauces of an intense ver- 

 milion tint; so that, although extremely handsome, 

 this lizard presents, from its extraordinarily shaped 

 head and threatening gestures, a most malignant aspect. 

 It is, however, perfectly harmless. 



Chameleon. — The true chameleon 1 is found, but not 

 in great numbers, in the dry districts to the north of 

 Ceylon, where it frequents the trees, in slow pursuit of 

 its insect prey ; but compensated for the sluggishness 

 of its other movements, by the electric rapidity of its 

 extensible tongue. Apparently sluggish in its general 

 habits, the chameleon rests motionless on a branch, 

 from which its varied hues render it scarcely distin- 

 guishable in colour ; and there patiently awaits the ap- 

 proach of the insects on which it feeds. Instantly on 

 their appearance its wonderful tongue comes into play. 



TONGUE OF CHAMELEON. 



Though ordinarily concealed, it is capable of protrusion 

 till it exceeds in length the whole body of the creature. 

 No sooner does an incautious fly venture within reach 



1 Chameleo vulgaris, Band. 



