203 



in different degrees and by different means and sides, chiefly as 

 exemplified in the following table : — 



2. On the Change of Colour in a Cham^eleon (Cham^- 

 LEO vulgaris). By H. N. Turner, Jun. 



Notwithstanding that the peculiarity of the Chamseleon in changing 

 its colour is so universally known, and that an illustrated work 

 on the subject was published by Van der Hoven, I have thought that 

 a careful record of the varieties of tmt, presented by the specimen 

 which has lived for some time in my possession, might prove ser- 

 viceable to the naturalist if compared with similar observations upon 

 other species and upon the same one under different circumstances, 

 and might also assist in the determination of the means by which it 

 is effected, the influences by which it is regulated, and the objects 

 which it serves in the oeconomy of the animal. 



Its general tints vary between different shades of brown, oUve, yel- 

 low, and hght green, the last-named being the most rarely observed, 

 and the yellow being the tint usually assumed when the animal has 

 been hidden from the hght. This is the colour it always presents if 

 taken for inspection at night, and when brought into the influence of 

 lamp-light it appears at first almost white, but may soon be seen to 

 darken and some of the markings to appear. The side that is next 

 the Ught will change rather sooner than the other, the changes being 

 always gradual. It has three distinct sets of markings, the first to 

 appear being two ranges of irregular distant elongated spots, which 

 may appear either as a dark tint upon the ground-colour when that 

 is light, or a light one if it be dark. These marks are never entirely 

 absent when either of the other sets is present, although sometimes 

 but faintly discernible. 



