222 BLUEFIELDS. 



forming longitudinal rows, with broad interspaces of 

 the rich ground colour, greatly increasing the effect. 



What the object or peculiar function of this pro- 

 trusile goitre is, remains still obscure. It has been 

 suggested that as the Ancles prey upon butterflies 

 and other insects, the brilliant disk-like surface may 

 present an attraction to vagrant insects by its resem- 

 blance either to a richly coloured flower or an equally 

 gay butterfly. It may be so ; though in the hun- 

 dreds that I have observed, I never saw an insect 

 approach it ; nor do I think, if such were the object, 

 the animal would keep projecting and withdrawing 

 it, as it does, with considerable motion of the body, 

 but would rather let it lie extended as motionless as 

 possible, which it does not do. I certainly think it 

 is connected with the intercourse of the sexes; and am 

 pretty sure that the exposure of the goitre is meant 

 as an expression of anger and defiance to one of the 

 same sex. As far as I have observed, the female 

 Anolis is almost, if not quite, destitute of the goitre. 

 I have had a Purple-tail, which when held in my 

 hand protruded its goitre, while the energy with 

 which it would now and then fiercely seize upon my 

 fingers, and endeavour to gnaw them, manifested its 

 anger and impatience at being confined. 



After having been actively engaged in running and 

 leaping, whether in play or alarm, we occasionally 

 see them remain still, loll out the tongue, and pant 

 with open mouth very much in the manner of a dog. 



Our httle Anoles are not aquatic, nor have they, 

 as has been stated, any predilection for marshy situ- 

 ations. I have never seen them take the water 



