AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 



59 



On observing one — which was easily known by their keep- 

 ing one or both eyes stedfastly fixed on it for a short time — 

 the method of attacli pursued was to the following effect. 

 They slowly moved towards their prey, as if afraid to dis- 

 turb it; at the same time keeping their eyes firmly fixed 

 upon the insect until within a few inches of it, then on a 

 sudden darting forth the tongue, and as suddenly withdraw- 

 ing it, they secured their prey, which very voracious mas- 

 tication and deglutition soon disposed of. 



The greatest distance to which we have observed the 

 tongue protruded, was about five inches, generally less, 

 never more. This organ, protruded by strong muscular 

 power, is, we believe, chiefly returned to the mouth by an 

 apparatus attached to its base, which acts by its resilienc}', 

 in a somewhat similar way to the elasticity of a silk purse, 

 when drawn out, and suddenly let go. The better to ena- 

 able them to seize their prey, the extremity of the tongue 

 folds up to a slight extent, somewhat like the extremity of 

 the proboscis of an elephant; and moreover the organ is 

 coated witli an adhesive matter. 



According to the quantity of air in the lungs, the lateral 

 dimetisions of the Chameleon are more or less extended. 

 We have observed them more than an inch and a half in 

 breadth across the chest; sometimes, however, compressed 

 to less than half an inch; their usual bulk was the medium 

 between these. 



That the change of colour has an intimate relation to the 

 bulk of the animal, or, in other words, to the quantity of 

 air in the lungs, there is every evidence; and we shall 

 now make a few remarks on that singular phenomenon, 

 stating the various changes of colour observed, and at the 

 same time the circumstances in which the animals were 

 placed at the moment. The usual colour observed during 

 the day, was a mixture of various shades of green, in irre- 

 gular spots; towards the head, these, however, sometimes 

 assumed the form of stripes: sometimes these colours were 

 slightly mixed with yellowish patches, and at other times 

 with dark purple spots. 



Such were their usual colours for the most part of the 

 day, while moving about, undisturbed in their cage, or 

 amongst the twigs of a plant, in the search of food. When 

 of the greenish hue mentioned, it was sometimes diificult to 

 discover them amongst the leaves; and indeed it seems 

 probable that this may be a provision of nature, to enable 

 the Chameleon to procure its food, which consists chiefly 

 of insects; and these, had the animal been of a colour more 

 distinct from that of its natural habitation, trees, might 

 have been deterred from approaching within a tangible dis- 

 tance. 



At night, when asleep, the colour was of a yellow hue. 

 Being desirous to ascertain the effect of light on them, 



while of that colour, we placed, for this purpose, a lighted 

 candle, about three or four inches from the side of one of 

 these animals, and allowed it to remain for a few minutes, 

 the effect of which was, that light brown spots began to 

 appear, at irregular distances, on the side next to the light. 

 These spots gradually deepened in colour, until they attain- 

 ed that of a dark brown. On the removal of the light to a 

 distance, the spots as gradually disappeared, and the animal 

 assumed its usual yellowish hue. 



A similar effect took place on imitating a shower of rain, 

 by sprinkling water over the animals, but in a more rapid 

 manner than on the application of the light. 



These two experiments we repeated several times, with 

 similar results; and we believe the appearance of these spots 

 to be owing to the irritation produced, in the first instance, 

 by' the heat and light; in the second, by the mechanical 

 irritation of the water. The animals never awoke during 

 these experiments, except when the artificial rain was too 

 heavy, or continued for a long time. 



Shortly after these animals came into our possession, one 

 of them escaped from the greenhouse in which they resided 

 for a time; and it was not until after a very diligent search, 

 that we discovered it amongst some long grass, of a colour 

 which surprised us much. It appeared at first sight to be 

 speckled black and white; on closer examination, however, 

 the dark colour was purple, the light apparently a pale yel- 

 low. These colours were in large irregular patches. 



While of this hue, its dimensions were unusually small, 

 its sides were much compressed, and we may state gene- 

 rally, that when of a dark colour, they were usually in a 

 compressed state; for though in the case just mentioned, 

 there was an approach to a white at some places, still the 

 dark colour was most profuse. 



On one occasion, we remarked the effects of strong pas- 

 sion on these animals. Wishing to take one of them out of 

 the cage in which they were usually confined, and approach- 

 ing the hand towards it for that purpose, the animal 

 retreated for a little at first, then on a sudden turned 

 round and seized one of our fingers, without further mis- 

 chief, however, than slightly raising the cuticle. At this 

 moment the colour changed from the usual greenish mix- 

 ture to that of a yellowish grey, spotted over, at the same 

 time, with numerous red points, about the size of the head 

 of a pin, while the animal became more bulky than we had 

 ever seen it. 



Some days before death, which took place, partly, in 

 consequence of the inclemency of the weather, but particu- 

 larly, we believe, in consequence of the want of food at the 

 time, the flies having nearly all disappeared, worms and 

 other small animals were rejected, they gradually be- 

 came weaker and weaker, left the twigs, and came to the 



