Observations on the Chameleon. 325 



chameleon did not again drink until the 12th of September; 

 and I afterwards observed that it required water once in about 

 a fortnight. As the opinion that the chameleon does not 

 drink was thus proved an error, so it seemed equally clear that 

 the popular opinion of its assuming the colour of any sub- 

 stance on which it rests is equally so. It has passed over and 

 rested on carpets variegated with different colours — a large 

 green cloth, a large growing myrtle, with other coloured sub- 

 stances, without my being able to discern that there was ever 

 any connection between the colour of its surface and that of 

 the material on which it rested. On one occasion, indeed, 

 there appeared something like this ; for when it had made its 

 escape to the outside of the window, it became so much like 

 the stones on which it rested — black and white — as to escape 

 observation for a considerable time ; but it has been known to 

 assume precisely the same appearance under other circum- 

 stances, and when surrounded with substances very different 

 in colour. It was not kept in greater restraint than was 

 afforded by a large room-; but after continuing for several hours 

 on a green or scarlet cloth, or on green vegetables, it was not 

 seen to assume these colours ; nor, indeed, was it ever seen to 

 assume the colour of scarlet. 



It was only after it had been a fortnight in my possession, 

 that I had an opportunity of seeing it take a fly ; but after 

 this it not only took all that came in its way, but would seize 

 them as fast as children would bring them; and it even 

 became so familiar with the act as to take them repeatedly 

 from the hand. It was thus easy to measure the distance to 

 which it was able to dart its tongue in seizing its prey, which 

 was found to be six inches — or rather more than the length of 

 its body ; but the more usual distance was about three inches, 

 and it was very rarely seen to miss the mark. In approaching 

 a fly, the motion at first was slow and • cautious, and within a 

 favourable distance the mouth opened and the tongue pro- 

 truded slowly to the extent of about an inch, beyond which it 

 darted swiftly, although not as has been represented, for it 

 has been described as more sudden and swift than human 

 sight could follow it. The extremity of the tongue is usually 

 flat and pointed ; but when darted forward to its prey, the end 

 is formed into the shape of a (large) pea, the middle being 

 the most projecting part. To this the fly adheres by means of 

 the tenacious mucus with which it is covered, and it is 

 instantly conveyed into the mouth. But it is necessary to the 

 success of this operation that the fly should be on some fixed 

 substance, and almost, if not entirely, at rest ; for if other- 

 wise the chameleon will not attempt to take it, and repeatedly 

 it has been observed to protrude a portion of the tongue, 



