120 



of Natural U 



changes of colour in the Chameleon, so far 

 as I have been able to ascertain from my 

 own observation of such as have been brought 

 into this country in a living state, are from 

 a bluish ash-colour (its natural tinge) to a 

 green and sometimes yellowish colour, spot- 

 ted unequally with red. If the animal be 

 exposed to a full sunshine, the unilluminated 

 side generally appears, within the space of 

 some minutes, of a pale yellow, with large 

 roundish patches or spots of red-brown. On 

 reversing the situation of the animal the 

 same change takes place in an opposite di- 

 rection ; the side which was before in the 

 shade now becoming either brown or ash- 

 colour, while the other side becomes yellow 

 and red ; but these changes are subject to 

 much variety both as to intensity of colours 

 and disposition of spots." 



Chameleons are all exceedingly slow, dull, 

 and torpid ; often remaining in the same 

 position for many hours together, or tra- 

 versing the twigs and branches of trees in a 

 slow and cautious manner, with the aid of 

 the grasping powers of the feet and tail. The 

 skin is composed of small granular scales ; 

 the lungs are large, and are connected (as 

 in birds) with air-cells that lie among the 



appearance of the animal varies greatly ; 

 according as these cavities are full or empty, 

 it appears either full and bloated, or lean 

 and shrunken. 



CHAMOIS. (Antfloperupicapra. Pallas. 

 Rupicapra tragus. Gray.) A well-known 

 species of the genus ANTELOPE (to which 

 article we refer the reader) ; but it being 

 the only animal of Western Europe that 

 partakes in any very considerable degree 



of the characters be 



tilopicke, we have thought It desirable to 



to the 



such vigour and sureness of foot, that to 

 overtake them in a fair chase is next to im- 

 possible ; hence the Chamois hunters of the 

 Alps are obliged to encounter the greatest 

 perils in pursuit of this favourite game. 



The Chamois is a little more than three 

 feet in length, and two feet in height ; its 

 head resembles that of the common goat, 

 but the nostrils are not so large, nor the 

 upper lip so prominent. The whole body is 

 covered with long hair, varying with the 

 seasons, being of a deep brown in winter, of 

 a brown fawn colour in summer, and slight- 

 ly mixed with grey in spring. The head is 

 of a pale yellow colour, excepting a black 

 brown band, which commences near the 

 nose, and ends at the base of the horns and 

 ears, after encircling the eyes ; the tail is 

 short and black ; and the edges of the hips 

 and inside of the thighs and ears alone white. 

 The horns are about six or seven inches long, 

 and are nearly parallel throughout : the face 

 is straight ; the ears small, erect, and pointed; 

 and there is neither muzzle nor beard. The 

 hoofs are concave beneath, and terminate 

 by a projecting edge, especially on the out- 

 side. The colours of both sexes are the 



same, but the females are rather smaller 

 muscles and beneath the skin ; hence the than the males. The kids are of a deep 



yellowish brown colour, having the under 

 jaw, both sides of the head, and the throat 

 white ; with similar dark bands as the adult, 

 beginning at the corners of the mouth, sur- 

 rounding the eye, and ending at the fore- 

 head. One or two are usually produced at 

 a birth. Their flesh is considered a very 

 superior article of food ; and their skin is 

 wrought into a soft, pliable leather, well- 

 known by the name of the animal furnishing 

 it. Their food consists of mountain herbs 

 and flowers, and the tender shoots of shrubs ; 



. - i and it is observed that they seldom drink 



describe it separately, under its popular and are extremely fond of salt. -The late 

 name. The Chamois is found only in high ! Earl of Derby h had several chamois in 

 mountainous regions, in small flocks or fa- : hi- yery no ble menagerie at Knowsley. We 

 mikes, where they feed on the highest cliffs , Baw tw * young spec ies in London some time 



ago, which were on their way to his Lord- 

 ship's. They were very sweet, gentle looking 

 creatures, and seemed to be by no means shy. 



CHANK SHELLS. The name given to 

 one or more species of shells of the genus 

 Dolium. These shells (says Mr. M'Culloch) 

 are fished up by divers in the Gulf of Manar 

 on the coast opposite Jaffnapatam, in Ceylon, 

 in about two fathoms water ; and at Tra- 

 vancore, Juticoreen, and other places. Large 

 fossil beds of Chanks have also been found. 

 They are of a spiral shape, and form a con- 

 siderable article of trade in India, where 

 they are in extensive demand all over the 

 country. They are sawn into narrow rings 

 or bracelets, and are worn as ornaments for 

 the arms, legs, fingers, &c. by the Hindoo 

 women ; many of them are also buried with 

 the bodies of opulent and distinguished per- 

 sons. Those which, from being taken with 

 the fish, are called green Chanks, are most 

 in demand. The white Chank wliich is the 

 shell thrown upon the beach by strong tides, 

 having lost its gloss and consistency, is not 

 worth the freight up to Calcutta. The 

 value of the green Chank, depends upon its 



PRA.-) 



and precipices affording vegetation, which 

 are almost inaccessible to man. Their sight, 

 hearing, and smell are so acute, and they 

 are so exceedingly shy, that it is only by the 

 greatest patience and skill that the hunter 

 can approach near enough to shoot them ; 

 they are likewise so swift, and leap with 



