•-J 



THE CHAMELEON. 65 



lour ; this being the consequence of an equilibrium 

 in the liquids, and of a due proportion of them in 

 the vessels*. 



Hasselquist says, that he never observed the Cha- 

 meleon assume the colour of an external object 

 presented to its view, although he made several 

 experiments for the purpose. He says its natural 

 colour is an iron grey, or black, mixed with a little 

 rey. This it sometimes changes, and becomes 

 entirely of a brimstone yellow, which, except the 

 former, is the colour it most frequently assumes. 

 It sometimes takes a darker or greenish yellow, and 

 sometimes a lighter. He did not observe it assume 

 any other colours ; such as blue, red, purple, &c. 

 When changing from black to yellow, the soles of 

 its feet, its head, and the bag under its throat, were 

 the first tinged ; and then, by degrees, that colour 

 spread over the rest of the body. He several times 

 saw it marked with large spots of both colours all 

 over its body, which gave it an elegant appearance. 

 When it became of an iron grey it dilated its skin, 

 and became plump and handsome ; but as soon as 

 it turned yellow, it contracted itself, and appeared 

 empty, lean, and ugly : and the nearer it approached 

 in colour to white, the more empty and ugly it ap- 

 peared ; but its shape was always the most unplea- 

 sant when it was speckled. — Mr. Hasselquist kept 

 a Chamaeleon for near a month ; it was, during the 

 whole time, very nimble and lively, climbing up and 



* D'ObsonvHle, 35. 

 VOL. III. F 



