SAURIA. 39 



its slender tongue, when they are shot with the ra- 

 pidity of lightning. 



Mr. Slight has recorded some particulars of two 

 which were sent to him from Malaga, and lived in 

 his possession several months. They were kept un- 

 confined in a wicker basket, in a bow-window, and 

 slept many hours in the day, lying on a projecting 

 ridge of the wicker-work. During sun-shine, they 

 flattened themselves to expose a larger surface to its 

 influence, when they were usually of a greenish stone 

 colour and pale. If disturbed, they contracted their ab- 

 domen, expanding the ribs, and often became in- 

 stantly of a dark green, or even indigo green. 

 Sometimes, only one side changed colour. The larger 

 was vigorous, and in health; when awake, its eye 

 (of a dark colour and very lustrous) was turned in 

 every direction, the motions being by a kind of jerk, 

 and very rapid as if in search of prey. Mr. S. was 

 accustomed to put six or seven cockroaches in a 

 shallow tin vessel, and the Chameleon on its edge, 

 with its head projecting over the brim. After 

 making a circuit round a portion of the vessel, it 

 would distend the throat-pouch, and stretching 

 forward its body, on the fore-legs, it would suddenly 

 dart out its tongue with such force, as to make 

 a very sensible ringing on the opposite side of the 

 tin. It would catch the insect in the trumpet- 

 shaped extremity of the tongue, which was re- 

 tracted quick as lightning, and mastication and swal- 

 lowing followed. In this manner it would take 

 three or four insects from the vessel ; but fed only 



