qfllie Common Chamelecm. 295 



colour, we placed, for this purpose, a lighted candle, about 

 three or four inches from the side of one of these animals^ and 

 allowed it to remain for a few minutes, the effect of which was, 

 that light brown spots (No. 105.) began to appear, at irregular 

 distances, on the side next the light. These spots gradually 

 deepened in colour (No. 104), until they attained that of a dark 

 brown (No. 10«S.) On the removal of the light to a distance, 

 the spots as gradually disappeared, and the animal assumed its 

 usual yellowish hue. 



A similar effect took place on imitating a shower of rain, by 

 sprinkling water over the animals, but in a more rapid manner 

 than on the application of the light. 



These two experiments we repeated several times, with simi- 

 lar results ; and we believe the appearance of these spots to be 

 owing to the irritation produced, in the first instance, by the 

 heat and light ; in the second, by the mechanical irritation of 

 the water. The animals never awoke during these experiments, 

 except when the artificial rain was too heavy, or continued for 

 a long time. 



Shortly after these animals came into our possession, one of 

 them escaped from the greenhouse in which they resided for a 

 time ; and it was not until after a very dilfgent search, that we 

 discovered it amongst some long grass, of a colour which sur- 

 prised us much. It appeared at first sight to be speckled black 

 and white ; on closer examination, however, the dark colour was 

 between Nos. 96. and 110., — the light apparently a mixture of 

 Nos. 6. and 13., No. 6. peculiarly. These colours were in large 

 irregular patches. While of this hue, its dimensions were un- 

 usually small, its sides were much compressed, and we may state 

 generally, that when of a dark colour, they were usually in a 

 compressed state ; for though in the case just mentioned there 

 was an approach to a white at some places, still the dark colour 

 was most profuse. 



On one occasion, we remarked the effects of strong passion on 

 these animals. Wishing to take one of them out of the cage in 

 which they were usually confined, and approaching the hand to- 

 wards it lor that purpose, the animal retreated for a little at 

 first, then on a sudden turned round and seized one of our fin- 

 gers, without further mischief, however, than slightly raising 



