CHAMELEONS. 



To speak of the chameleon is to speak upon a subject 

 somewhat analogous to the conjurer's inexhaustible bottle ; 

 the more it is handled the more there is to gain from it. 

 There is so much connected with these animals not 

 generally known, and they are brought to this country so 

 frequently, and kept sometimes as " pets," but ofbener on 

 account of their remarkable form and singular habits, that 

 a few remarks upon them may not be without interest to 

 those persons who possess specimens, in enabling them to 

 preserve them alive, and by so doing to become acquainted 

 with their habits and economy. 



The cause of change of colour in the chameleon appears 

 to be imperfectly understood, although so much has been 

 written upon this subject. Many other animals exhibit 

 the same power, but to a more limited extent. It is 

 highly probable that the change may be partly involuntary, 

 because some fishes, reptiles, and insects, if removed from 

 one situation in which their colours assimilate to the sur- 

 rounding objects, to another to which they at first form a 

 strong contrast, they will in a very short space of time 

 adapt their colours to that of the new position, this change 

 affording probably " a protection from their enemies." 

 This object of the change of colour may be questioned in 

 regard to the chameleon, as that reptile may be free from 

 enemies. Again, the power of assimilating its colour to 



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