1896. THE INFLUENCE OF MIND IN EVOLUTION. 301 



appearance. The second fact goes beyond the phenomenon of 

 blushing altogether, and introduces an entirely new element. It is 

 this, that the kind of change effected in the chameleon's skin was 

 decided by the colour of the objects immediately surrounding it at 

 that time. There appears to be little room for doubt that this effect 

 is produced through the eyes. As to the way in which it is produced 

 we are yet without a satisfactory explanation, but there the fact 

 is. The physical effect produced on the chameleon's skin by the 

 consciousness of danger is modified in some way, mysterious to us, by 

 the colour that happens to be before its eyes at that time, so that its 

 skin assumes that colour. It is worth noting too that its attention 

 was concentrated on me, the source of danger ; and the colour of my 

 coat, which might be bright red, was probably at that moment 

 irritating its optic nerve more than any other ; but this had no 

 influence. The inference seems to be that a sense of the colours 

 of surrounding objects is blended with the consciousness of con- 

 spicuousness which affects the skin, and operates through it. The 

 conspicuousness results of course from the contrast between its own 

 colour and that of the things about it, and it may be this contrast 

 which is present to the consciousness of the chameleon. A curious 

 point that ought not to be lost sight of is that the chameleon's eyes 

 work quite independently, so that, while one was fixed on me, the 

 other was directed on the objects surrounding it. To what extent its 

 mind is capable of dividing its attention we have no means of 

 knowing. 



The chameleon is not the only animal which changes colour to 

 suit its surroundings. Many tree-frogs do so, but they change more 

 slowly, and I cannot say from personal observation whether conscious- 

 ness of danger ever has any effect in causing the change. The pupae 

 of many butterflies also, especially those of the genus Papilio, take the 

 colour of the surface to which they are attached. They are green if 

 suspended among foliage, but brown if attached to the trunk of a tree; 

 and in artificial circumstances they can assume other tints within 

 certain limits. It is not certain, however, that this effect is produced 

 through the eyes of the larva. It may be a result of the direct action 

 of light on the moist and sensitive surface immediately after the larva 

 has shed its skin. It matters little, for a single case like the 

 chameleon is quite sufficient for my argument. 



Now let us try to enter into the consciousness of a leaf-butterfly 

 sitting motionless among withered leaves, or, if that is too difficult, of 

 a quail feeding in a stubble field. A quail's one resource in danger 

 is concealment, to hide itself and be still. This instinct, strong at 

 first by inheritance, has been fostered and strengthened in it by its 

 whole life from the time when it first ran under its mother for safety. 

 But it ventures out into the field to feed. A hawk appears in sight. 

 If there is a bush or a tuft of grass at hand it will rush into it ; 

 failing that, it squats and remains motionless. Its state of mind as 



