THE CHAMELEON. 175 



THE CHAMELEON. 



IN the English Bible, the CHAMELEON is transformed into the 

 rnole, (Lev. xi. 30,) an animal that has little pretension to be associ- 

 ated with reptiles of the lizard species. The Hebrew word, from a 

 root which signifies to breathe, is peculiarly appropriate to this curi- 

 ous animal, which, according to vulgar opinion, is the 'creature 

 nourished by the wind and air.' 



The chameleon nearly resembles the crocodile in form, but dif- 

 fers widely in its size and appetites. Its head is about two inches 

 long, and from thence to the beginning of the tail four and a half; 

 the tail is five inches long, and the feet two and a half; the thick- 

 ness of the body varies at different times, for the animal possesses 

 the power of blowing itself up and contracting itself, at pleasure. 



During his visit to the East, Le Bruyn purchased several chame- 

 leons, for the purpose of preserving them alive, and making obser- 

 vations on their nature and manners ; but the most interesting ac- 

 count of this curious animal is that furnished by the enterprising 

 and lamented Belzoni, which we transcribe. 



'There are three species of chameleons, whose colors are pecu- 

 liar to themselves ; for instance, the commonest sort are those which 

 are generally green, that is to say, the body all green, and when 

 content, beautifully marked on each side regularly on the green 

 with black and yellow, not in a confused manner, but as if drawn. 

 This kind is in great plenty, and never have any other color except 

 a light green when they sleep, and when ill a very pale yellow. 

 Out of near forty I had the first year when I was in Nubia, I had 

 but one, and that a very small one, of the second sort, which had 

 red marks. One chameleon lived with me eight months, and most 

 of that time I had it fixed to the button of my coat: it used to rest 

 on my shoulder, or on my head. I have observed, when I have 

 kept it shut up in a room for some time, that, on bringing it out in 

 the air, it would begin drawing the air in ; and on putting it on 

 some marjorum, it has had a wonderful effect on it immediately : 

 its color became most brilliant. I believe it will puzzle a good many 



