538 Observations on the Chameleon. 



with which the nervous currents operate in the one lateral 

 half of the chameleon, is most beautifully exhibited, the cor- 

 responding side becoming, at the same time, considerably 

 more inflated than the other). 



b. After the body has been heated by the sun to an equa- 

 ble temperature of about 26° R. (90^ F.), the animal is in the 

 fullest possession of its vital powers and functions, and its co- 

 lours are then most strikingly contrasted. The trapezoid 

 spots, situated in two longitudinal rows, (of 5 each), on each 

 side of the trunk, the colour of which, under all circumstan- 

 ces, diifers more or less from that of the surrounding skin, 

 then appear like plates of chalk on a ground of charcoal. — 

 (This state of colour was suddenly brought about when a dog 

 ran towards the chameleon, whilst it was in a walk of my gar- 

 den, in warm weather. The cause of its terror being remov- 

 ed, the colours soon subsided into a more equable state. The 

 chameleon very soon became accustomed to the dog). 



c. When T took the chameleon in my hand, it being of its 

 pale colour, its respiration became accelerated and fuller, and 

 the change of colour which took place immediately, gave it 

 the spotted appearance of a trout. 



d. At temperatures of less that 15° R., (63f F.), and in a 

 diffused light, the general colour of the animal was usually 

 bluish black, and the two constant rows of trapezoid spots 

 almost vanished from sight. The eye of the chameleon still 

 showed sufficient activity, within certain limits of a low tem- 

 perature, proving that the nervous currents were not inter- 

 rupted, even at 10° R., (54J F.), the animal never being ex- 

 posed to a much lower temperature so long as I had it. (In 

 this case I am inclined to ascribe the dark colour to the con- 

 traction of the integuments, whereby the pale pigment is de- 

 pressed, and the dark one meets the horny tubercles ; for on 

 cautiously warming the chameleon, it becomes generally pal- 

 er, though much spotted and striped with green, red, violet, 

 &c). 



e. On approaching the pale-coloured sleeping chameleon 

 with a candle, and shaking the room by one's step, one would 

 generally see it awake, and become of a greyish, and subse- 

 quently of a darker colour. 



f. If thrown into water at a common temperature, or ex- 

 posed to rain, it exhibited a beautiful dark ashy -blue colour, 

 with bright red and green spots and stripes. (The animal 

 was much agitated, and the integuments of course contract- 

 ed; the inspiration was very full). 



g. If electrified on an insulated stand, the chameleon show- 

 ed changes of colour, which it would be endless to describe, 



