ead leaves, had attracted
his attention.

As quick as lightning his whole body appeared upon the tree, and lay
flat along the bark, head downwards. Here he halted for a moment; then,
raising his shoulders, he ran nimbly down the trunk, and rushing
outwards, sprang upon the chameleon. The latter, thus suddenly
attacked, dropped the spider; and at first showed an intention of
retreating. Had he done so the scorpion would have followed him no
farther--as its only object in attacking him was to rob him of his prey.
The chameleon, however, is a courageous little animal; and seeing that
his assailant was not much bigger than himself--for the animal in
question was one of the smallest of the skink family--he turned again
and showed fight. His throat swelled to its largest extent, and grew
brighter than ever.

Both now stood facing each other, and about twelve inches apart, in
threatening attitudes. Their eyes sparkled; their forked tongues shot
forth, glittering in the sun; and their heads at intervals rose and
fell, in a manoeuvring manner, like a pair of pugilists "coming to the
scratch!"

After a short while they sprang at each other open-jawed; wriggled over
the ground a moment--their tails flying in the air--then separated, and
again assumed their defiant attitudes, manoeuvring as before. In this
manner they met and parted several times, neither seeming to have gained
much advantage.

The weakest part of the green lizard lies in his tail. So tender is
this appendage that the slightest blow of a small switch will separate
it from the body. The skink seemed to be aware of this fact, as he
several times endeavoured to get around his antagonist, or, in military
phraseology, to "turn" him. It was evidently his intention to attack
the tail. This the chameleon dreaded; and was equally desirous not to
be "outflanked." In whatever way the skink manoeuvred, his antagonist
met him with his scarlet front.

For several minutes the battle raged--these little creatures exhibiting
as much fury and fierceness as if they had been a pair of great
crocodiles. The chameleon at length began to show symptoms of giving
out. The throat grew paler--the green became less vivid--and it was
evident that he was getting the worst of it. The scorpion now made a
rush, and threw the other upon his back. Before the chameleon could
recover himself, his antagonist seized his tail, and bit it off close to
the body. The poor little fello