a S>et£tiptiott ot uuing Creatures. 335 
CHAP. XXXI 
Of the Chamelion, 
\ 
^^His is a creature very well known, four-footed, 
i and engendred of an Egg ; to be found in -^fia 
only ; almoftlike a Liz:,ard : he holdeth his mouth 
open to take in the air. It is reported of ^rifiotle, 
that of all the creatures that he hath deferibed, 
there is hone that is more timerous and crafty than 
the Chamelion: it is to be found in Africa alfo, 
but very rarely , as alfo in I^dla, His fnout is like a 
II ogs, which routeth up the ground ; and although 
the Chamelion is very cuich like a Crocodlley yet in 
this he differeth from him, his tail being much lon- 
ger, and thicker .• he is very crafty and mifehie- 
vous, although fo fearful and timerous. It is a qua- 
lity of this creature, and of this creature only, that 
when at any time he is frighted, he, for very fear, 
chahgeth himfelf into the colour of that thing at 
which heis'frighted : the reafon of which Bodinus 
thinkethtobe tht pellucldnefs^ and tranfparency of 
his body ; and therefore whatfoever colour is 
next to him, that colour feemeth to reflefl: from 
his body -• a lit refemblance of St age -players^ who 
can beany thing for their profit and advantage •• 
he can change himfelf into any cplour except red 
and white; which is a fit refemblance of fobtile 
Difputantsi v;ho ran from one thing to another, to 
evade 
