ANOLIUSCAROLINENSIS. 69 



&c. In cold weather, and in confinement, it is frequently dark brown, or brown 

 with a vertebral line of white, seeming an entirely different animal; in warm 

 weather it assumes, in the space of a few moments, every variety of shade, from 

 dark brown to the most beautiful golden green. These variations in the colour 

 are so great, and take place so suddenly, that it is often supposed to depend on 

 the will of the animal, or the colour of the substance on which it is placed. 



Dimensions. Length from the tip of the snout to the vent, 2| inches; length of 

 tail beyond the vent, 4j inches; total length, 6| inches. 



GEOGRApmcAL DISTRIBUTION. The Anolius Carolinensis is first seen about 

 latitude 35° in the Atlantic States, whence its range extends to the Gulf of Mexico, 

 and westward to the Mississippi; and according to Dr. Sibley, as far as Nachi- 

 toches, on the Red river. 



Habits. The A. Carolinensis is a bold and daring animal, haunting out-houses 

 and garden fences; and in new settlements it even enters the houses, walking over 

 the tables and other articles of furniture in search of flies. It is very active, 

 climbing trees with great rapidity, and leaping with ease from branch to branch 

 or from tree to tree, securing itself even on the leaves, by means of the oval disks 

 of the fingers and toes; which enable it also to walk easily on glass, and on the 

 sides and ceilings of rooms. It feeds on insects, and destroys great numbers, 

 seizing them suddenly, and devouring them, unrestrained even by the presence of 

 man. In genei-al they hybernate later than other animals of the same class; their 

 favourite retreats being gardens and old buildings; they often retire to green houses 

 or conservatories, where they may be frequently seen active, even in winter, but 

 never of that rich yellow-green as in the summer season. In the spring season 

 they are extremely quarrelsome; two males seldom meet without a furious battle, 

 which frequently results in the loss of part of the tail, or some other injury, to one 

 or both of the combatants.* Before the contest, the animal usually remains 



* Le Pere Nicholson, in describing the roquet, an animal supposed for a long time to be 



