68 
ANIMAL CURIOSITIES 
perature and a subdued light inducing it to 
assume pale tints, while a powerful light and 
a high temperature has just the reverse effect. 
The more usual colours exhibited by the 
animal are varying hues of green, yellow, and 
brown; but patches of pink, salmon, and 
orange tints may be present at times. 
Apart from its colour-changing habits, the 
chameleon is remarkable in many other ways. 
The eyes, for instance, work within their 
sockets upon the cup and ball principle, and 
each one can be moved independently, so that 
the creature has the power to look in front and 
behind, or above and below itself at the same 
time. The hands and feet are divided into 
two separate, opposable, and flap-like portions ; 
the digits of the fore limbs numbering two 
on the outer and three on the inner section, 
and those upon the hind limbs being arranged 
in just the reverse manner. The tongue, 
which is furnished with a club-shaped and 
sticky growth at its extremity, is so long that 
the creature can project it beyond its mouth 
for a distance exceeding the length of its own 
body ; while to add to these many peculiar¬ 
ities, the long tail is of a highly prehensile 
nature and serves as a fifth grasping organ, 
enabling its owner to cling to a branch or 
twig with great tenacity. 
