These tubercules, together with the loose dewlap of the throat, told the genus to which the animal belonged,--an _anolius_ of the family _Iguanidae_, and the only species of the anolius found in the territory of the United States.
These facts were communicated by Lucien to his brothers in a whisper, while they were observing the creature on the liana.

Basil and Francois had often seen the species before, and were familiar with it under the names of "green lizard" and "chameleon,"-- both of which names are applied to it in common phraseology.

The animal was not over six inches in length; and its long coffin-shaped head, and slender, whip-like tail, were at least two-thirds of this extent.

When first noticed, it was passing up the liana, for the latter slanted upwards between the trees.
It did not see the boys; or, at all events, did not regard their presence--for the chameleon is a bold little animal, and is not afraid of man.

Up to this time it had not seen the tarantula either.