296 Mr Spittal on the Natural History 



the cuticle. At this moment the colour changed from the usual 

 greenish mixture to that of a yellowish-grey, approaching to 

 No. 13, spotted over, at the same time, with numerous red 

 })oints (No. Id-), about the size of the head of a pin, while the 

 animal became more bulky than we had ever seen it. 



Some days before death, which took place, partly, in conse- 

 quence of the inclemency of the weather, but particularly, we 

 believe, in consequence of the want of food at the time, the 

 flies having nearly all disappeared, worms and other small ani- 

 mals were rejected, they gradually became weaker and weaker, 

 left the twigs, and came to the floor of the cage. While in 

 this weak state, their colour differed from any we ever observed 

 them to assume while in health. They became of the follow- 

 ing hues, viz. yellow, approaching to No. 75, and purple, some- 

 what like No. 96. These colours were in large irregular 

 patches, and seemed gradually to brighten as the animals be- 

 came weaker, until on death they were brightest, (No. 63.) 



From frequent observation, we found, that during the day, 

 while in health, a slight change in the shade of colour took 

 place every ten or fifteen minutes. This did not happen at 

 night; the same hue remained then for a much longer time, and 

 altered very little. 



We never noticed the change of colour in the slightest degree 

 to depend on the colour of the body on which the animals were 

 placed. 



With regard to the transparent property of the body of the 

 chameleon, we have only to say, that on one occasion, we are 

 tolerably sure that we observed the shadow of the wires of the 

 cage, during the bright sunshine, through the body of one of 

 them, while in a compressed state. 



These remarks, we think, seem to shew that the existing 

 opinions, which attribute the change of colour to the action of 

 the lungs, as the chief cause, is correct; not we believe entirely, 

 however, owing to the change of colour of the blood, according 

 to the respiration, transmitted by the skin ; but conjointly, with 

 its effects on the integuments, rendering them more or less 

 tense or flaccid ; and thus enabling the surface to reflect diffe- 

 rent rays of light at different times, according to the state of the 



