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 attack 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 protuded, 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 resiliency, 
in a somewhat similar way to the elasticity of a silk purse, 
when drawn out, and suddenly let go. The better to ena- 
ble 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 with an adhesive matter. 
According to the quantity of air in the lungs, the lateral 
dimensions 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 irreg- 
ular 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 difficult 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 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 
