SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
201 
foot in length, was entirely of a brilliant ^^ellow. Cameleons 
were also plentiful, particularly of the small species peculiar 
to the Cape, the pumila of the Si/stema Natures. This reptile 
is supposed to be always found of the same color with the 
body on which it may happen to rest. Though in general 
this, perhaps, may be the case, yet the rule does not always 
hold good. I have seen it remain black for many minutes, 
on a white ground, and white when placed upon a black hat. 
Previous to its assuming a change of color, it makes a long 
inspiration, the body swelling out to twice its usual size; 
and, as this inflation subsides, the change of color gradually 
takes place. The only permanent marks are two small dark 
lines passing along the sides. The cameleons are character- 
ized from the rest of the lizard tribe by their perching on the 
extremities of the branches of shrubby plants, from whence, 
holding themselves fast by their prehensile tails, with out- 
stretched tongue they catch the passing flies. Hence seems 
to have originated the idea that this class of reptiles live 
upon air. 
The zebra that had been shot was left at the foot of the 
hill until our return, when it was our intention to have taken 
off the skin. We had not been absent from the carcase more 
than an hour, in which space of time it had been completely 
eviscerated by a flock of vultures, consisting of the condor, 
the percnopterus, the white crow, and the vulturine crow \ 
yet it was an extraordinary circumstance that the skin was 
unbroken in every part of the body, except that the hole in 
the neck, where the ball had entered, was a little enlarged. 
Out of this small hole the greater part of the entrails liatl 
