the quicker striking a redness, whereas the slow reduces 

 him to his own natural ash-colour ; for it retains that 

 hue even after death, though a little paler." 



The following is an amusing conceit, as Dr. Grew 

 would call it: " If the chameleon at any time see a 

 serpent taking the ayre, and sunning himself under some 

 greene tree, he climbeth up into that tree and setleth 

 himselfe directly over the serpent, then out of his 

 mouth he casteth a thred like a spyder, at the end 

 whereof hangeth a drop of poyson as bright as any 

 pearle; by this string he letteth downe the poyson 

 upon the serpent, which lighting upon it killeth it 

 immediately. And Scaliger reporteth a greater won- 

 der than this in the description of the chameleon ; for 

 he sayth, if the boughes of the tree so grow as the per- 

 pendicular line cannot fall directlie upon the serpent, 

 then hee so correcteth and guideth it with his fore-feet, 

 that it falleth upon the serpent within the mark of a 

 hayres breadth." * 



The new view of the phenomena of the chameleon 

 presented in the preceding pages might receive 

 elucidation from many analogical arguments. When 

 the mind is surprised by the tribute due to loveli- 

 ness, and the circulation becomes thus affected, the 

 conscious rose instantly blossoms on the cheek of 

 beauty. The hectic flush on the cheek the ver- 

 milion lip the pale ensign of the lily where the 

 rose was once enshrined all concur to show that 

 the colours thus displayed on the exterior surface are 

 a faithful index of the varied movements of the cir- 

 culating mass. The passions of the mind affect the 

 circulation of the blood, and paint the visage. Lord 



* Topsell, p. 117. 



