1876.] The Florida Chameleon. 13 
easily tired, and are often seen panting from excessive exercise. 
Whether it be the expression of enjoyment of repose, comfort, 
or emotional joy, the highest manifestation is its display of green. 
Just listen -to what I have this day witnessed. Yesterday was 
quite cold. ‘The fern case was in the window, and a fire was in 
the room. Still the air was keen and raw. But to-day the at- 
mosphere is mild, and the sun, full upon the window, pours his 
mellow warmth directly into the fern case. After putting his 
head forth to inspect the weather, he comes out of his troglo- 
dyte chamber, and stretches his brown body in the full blaze 
of the sun. What a blessed basking this is. To him, in con- 
trast with his cave, it is the luxtry of bliss. Nolie soon be- 
gins to doze, sleepily opening and shutting his eyes, but keeping 
both auricles open wide. Now begins that wonderful play of 
colors. It appears first in the normal bronze brown of the back. 
Literally they are lively,colors, such are the moving changes, as 
the folds of the skin, especially those on the neck, eatch and 
glance the sunlight. That deep umber is now mellowing into a 
yellowish brown. A minute more and it has a bronze, coppery 
tint. Now it runs into an olive-green; anon, a leek-green; at 
last a pale but bright pea-green. Through all this color trans- 
formation on the back there is a medial line extending from the 
head to the tail, which is always of a hue paler than all the rest. 
As to the under parts, the customary ashiness is all gone. It is 
white; but such a white; not glaring, but soft. In fact, I think 
the tiny scales are now set a little on edge, thus giving the white 
the aspect of frosted silver. The back, as was said, is green; but 
I now observe what I have very seldom seen, that, so to speak, 
over this green is a bloom, so that it looks like a frosted green. 
It is observable that the top of the flat head doggedly retains its 
dark normal brown. As to the eyelids, in this matter of color, I 
think they are the most to be admired. Each of these little brill- 
iant orbs in constant motion is a perpetual twinkle. In ordinary 
repose the eyelids are a pretty, pale brown. But these organs are 
especially susceptible of color-change. Not only will they run 
rapidly through the whole scale, but the positive colors will be 
spread in such decided and rapid contrast that it seems as if the 
order were set to the key-note of a humor which “ is alone high 
fantastical.” These winking lids emulate the gems. Now, a 
palish brown, they are smoky topazes. Instantly they become 
green emeralds, and quicker than one can write flash into 
the peculiar blue of the turquoise. I have seen the New York 
