of the Common Chameleo^i. 299 



by that of the skin along with it, the various hues observed 

 could be accounted for ; so it seems probable, that the particu- 

 lar states of the surface of the skin, must also have a share in the 

 production of colour, by affecting the rays of hght different- 

 ly at different times. 



By adopting a modification of these two opinions, it appears 

 to us, that the phenomenon is more satisfactorily explained, than 

 in any other way *. 



• In the end of October 1827, the Editor received several live chameleons 

 from Malaga. One of these lived for nearly a year in a hot-house in Mr 

 Neill's garden at Canonmills, and died only in consequence of meeting with an 

 accidental bruise. Mr Neill informs him, that " when severe winter came on, 

 and flies disappeared, it was fed chiefly with sdaters (Oniscus Asellus), which 

 were always to be found under some of the flower-pots sunk in the tan-bed. It 

 also ate centipedes (Scolopendra forficata), and the small almost transparent 

 earth-worms found among the tan ; so that food was never awanting. Du- 

 ring the winter months, the gardener (Alexander Scott) put the prey into 

 the cameleon*s mouth. When summer came on, this was not necessary ; the 

 animal became lively ; and small-meshed lattices being fixed under the move- 

 able sashes when open, it was permitted to range through the whole extent of 

 the hot-house, climbing and descending, and moving from plant to plant, 

 availing itself very generally of its prehensile tail. It then captured stray 

 flies and spiders of its own accord, watching them on all sides with most 

 anxious eyes, — literally ocidis emissitiis. The tip of its tongue was often heard 

 to strike the glass sharply when the prey happened to be perched on one of 

 the panes, though the animal was more than half a foot distant at the time. 

 It frequently changed colour ; but it is difficult, indeed, to trace the cause or 

 causes of the change. On one occasion, certainly, the colour of the neigh- 

 bouring leaf seemed to have influenced the colour of the animal. In the 

 morning the chameleon was of a dirty cream-colour, which was the most 

 frequent colour during night, and when asleep. Two or three hours after- 

 wards, a friend (Mr John Linning) having accompanied me to see the ani- 

 mal, it was observed to be of a bright glaucous green on one side of its body, 

 and of a dull leek-green on the other side. The bluish side was directly e:t- 

 posed to the light of the sun passing through a newly unfolded banana leaf, 

 of a delicate texture. I made the chameleon come upon my finger, and then 

 held it in the shade of the crib;Stone ; and both Mr Linning and I remarked 

 that the two shades of green on the respective sides of the body continued 

 evident for several minutes. Copper-coloured spots soon afterwards gradual- 

 ly developed themselves, the effects probably of changes on the surface of 

 the skin, arising from some degree of excitement or angeiv The gardener 

 (who is a very intelligent young man, and an accurate observer) mentions, 

 that, when perched close to the glass-roof, exposed to the full glare of light, 

 the cameleon often became of a very dark hue, almost like soot, but with some 

 large bronze-coloured spots. On these occasions it was generally hanging at- 



