CHAMELEON. 6l 
is said to resemble a mere animated skeleton covered 
with a skin. 
In the conformation of this lizard a singularity 
occurs that is highly worthy of remark : the eyes, 
instead of having moveable eyelids, like other qua- 
drupeds, are covered by a rough membrane, which 
is pierced in the middle with a small hole, not 
more than the tenth of an inch in diameter, through 
which is seen the pupil surrounded by an iris of a 
gold colour. This membrane is attached to the eye, 
and follows all its motions. The chameleon seems 
also to possess the power of moving one eye while 
the other is at rest, and of turning one forwards or 
upwards while the other is moved in a contrary 
direction ; which must give it a decided advantage 
over other animals, since it can thus see on all 
sides at once. It is supposed that this wonderful 
structure is given the chameleon to defend those 
delicate organs from the intensity of the sun ; and 
when we consider the artificial contrivance used by 
the Laplanders, and other northern nations, to de- 
fend their eyes from the excessive glare of the 
snow, by covering them with a thin board, having 
a narrow slit in the middle of it, we cannot deny 
our assent to the supposition. The tongue is an- 
other curiosity, somewhat resembling a common 
earth worm, and is from six to ten inches long. 
It terminates in a thick hollow knob, which is 
open, and resembles in some degree the end of an 
elephant’s proboscis. The chameleon uses this un- 
common apparatus with peculiar dexterity, darting 
it out with amazing quickness whenever it feels in- 
