Look iNG'GL AS£. 
189 
bntj luckily, fome other creatures, by dekroying his 
eggs, diminifli the breed. 
The cain'eleon is a fmgular creature, whofe body 
is compacl, and partly corapofed of lhagreen, with 
large and fparkling eyes. He changes colour from 
ficknefs and vexation ; but it is not true that he 
takes the complexion of furrounding objefts, ac- 
cording to that vulgar opinion which has rendered 
him the emblem of flattery. He is found in Afia 
and Africa. 
The lizard is a fmall, pretty, and amphibious 
animal, with a long and pointed tail, full of little 
fcales 5 with a long body, like a cylinder, flxed to his 
head; and without a member fit for motion. 
The ferpent Aides along the ground wfith fuch velo- 
city as renders him almoft invifible, till he has climbed 
on a tree, or leaped over a precipice, with equal rapi- 
dity. Inftead of fupporters on the lower part of their 
bodies, ferpents have large moving blades, rifing 
and falling by means of a particular mufcle. Be- 
fides this lever, they have the power of bending 
the middle of their trunk into a bow, from which 
they ftioot thcmfelves out like an arrow, after 
having ufed their two waving fides as elaftic 
fprings, which fpend their force in puffiing them 
forward to an incredible difiance.* 
Serpents 
* What a leffon is here for the (tudy and application of mechanic 
powers ! Nature furnifiies fuch a model as has not been excelled in 
the 
