274 FIMBRIATED GECKO. 



that of the Chameleon, heing covered with small 

 protuberances, so as to give it a somewhat cha- 

 grin-like appearance. The colour of this animal 

 is not constant or permanent, as in most lizards, 

 but variable, as in the Chameleon, presenting 

 successively different shades of red, yellow, green, 

 and blue. This variation of colour is, however, 

 confined to the upper surface of the animal ; the 

 lower always continuing of a bright yellow. These 

 changes, we are informed, have been observed in 



O ? * 



the living animal by Mons. Bruyeres in its native 

 country, viz. Madagascar, where it is not very 

 uncommon, and where, though a harmless ani- 

 mal, it is held in great abhorrence by the natives, 

 who consider it as of a poisonous nature, and fly 

 from it with precipitation ; pretending that it darts 

 on their breast, and adheres with such force by its 

 fringed membrane that it cannot be separated 

 from the skin without the assistance of a razor. 

 The principal cause of this popular dread of the 

 animal, is its habit of running open-mouthed 

 towards the spectator, instead of attempting to 

 escape when discovered. Its chief residence is on 

 the branches of trees, where it lives on insects, 

 holding itself secure by coiling its tail, short as it 

 is, half round the twig on which it sits. It chiefly 

 appears in rainy weather, when it moves with con- 

 siderable agility, often springing from bough to 

 bough. On the ground it walks but slowly, the 

 fore legs being shorter than the hinder. 



