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jjometime* s-aid to possess the power of changing its 

 coiouf at ple-asure, and of assimilating it to that of any 

 particular object or situation. This, however, must 

 be received with great limitations ; the change of co- 

 lours which this animal exhibits varying in degree, 

 according to circumstances of health, temperature of 

 the w eather, and many other causes, and consisting 

 chiefly in a sort of alteration of shades, from the na- 

 tural greenish or bluish grey of the skin into pale 

 yellowish, with irregular spots or patches of dull red. 

 The Chamaeleon is a creature of a harmless nature, 

 and supports itself by feeding on insects, for which 

 purpose the structure of the tongue is finely adapted, 

 consisting of a long missile body, furnished with a 

 dilated and somewhat tubular tip, by means of which 

 the animal seizes insects with great ease, darting out 

 its tongue in the manner of a Woodpecker, and re- 

 tracting it instantaneously with the prey secured on 

 tlie tip. It can also support a long abstinence, and 

 hence arose the idea of its being nourished by air 

 a.lone. Is found in many parts of the world, atid 

 particularly in India and Africa, and also in Spain 

 and Portugal, One that was kept alive in Liverpool, 

 was regularly fed with sugar and bread, atid appeared 

 to have ati afliictiou for the person who had the care 

 of it. Its change of form was as remarkable as that 

 «f colour. 



