The American Chameleon 



At other times, the lizard may be of a dark, rich brown. This 

 is often the hue assumed in the brighest hours of sunlight. 



In collecting these lizards and placing them in wire-covered 

 boxes the writer has always noted their change from various 

 hues, prior to capture, to a scrambling collection of several 

 dozen emerald green lizards. If the gauze cage be laid down 

 for half an hour or so while the collector rests the lizards soon 

 take on a brownish tinge, but as soon as the box is again carried 

 about, and the occupants are shaken up and frightened, the 

 brilliant colour appears among them all. During the early 

 morning or as the afternoon wears away, the prevailing tints 

 are slaty or yellowish. 



The change of colour is rapid. A dark brown example 

 will fade to a pale leaf-green within three minutes time. Dur- 

 ing the colour changes the varying hues are striking; the brown 

 gives way to a beautiful, golden yellow; this, in turn may fade 

 to slaty gray and a general peppering of white dots appear over 

 the back. 



In describing these colour changes it is appropriate to cor- 

 rect a widespread and incorrect idea; this is to the effect that 

 the change of colour is influenced by the shade of the object on 

 which the reptile rests. There is no relationship or influence be- 

 tween the lizard's colours, and its surroundings. A brilliant green 

 individual may often be seen resting upon a weather-stained 

 fence rail, or a dark brown specimen hopping from one green 

 leaf to another. The writer remembers an enterprising dealer 

 who exhibited a number of these reptiles in a glass-fronted cage; 

 the back of the cage was divided into four squares of vivid colour 

 -yellow, red, green and blue. Continually annoyed by curious 

 observers the lizards showed the brightest shades of green, but 

 inconsistent with the dealer's idea, for they huddled together on 

 the square of vermilion which was situated in the most secluded 

 corner of the case. 



The change of colour is brought about principally through 

 temperature and light and their influences on the creature's 

 activity; also by anger, fear and sleep. The most repeatedly 

 observed colour is the green of the sleeping reptile. When 

 poorly fed and in an enervated condition the skin shows dark 

 spots and blotches. At death, the body is usually green, with 

 scattered patches of black. 



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