Vs,. fHB CHAMELEON. 4J)5 
*'6 3nd never pillage their neigh oours. Some villages 
^hlj^Poscd cf twenty or twenty-five cabins j but such 
aie rare, and tlie common republic seldom 
or twelve families. The smallest families coii- 
^onr, and six beavers; and the largest, eighteen, 
‘'•losf ] ®’>d, it is alleged, sometimes thirty. They are 
lc,-^p''ays equally paired, there being the same number 
'♦ '■* tJai'i males. When danger approaches, they 
,\r ^ ' other by striking the tail on the surface of the 
ooise of which, is heard at a great distance, and 
hirough all the vaults of their habitations. Each 
^*''*elv plunge into the lake, others conceal 
'll); j-'"'’’ within their walls, which can only be penetrated 
heaven, or tlie steel of man, and wliich no 
. ‘Hi g, '*1 attempt either to open or overturn. They often 
(,®'t Way under the ice ; and it is then that they are 
Alia,, taken, by ;it once attacking the cabin, and 
I ‘t hole made at some di.staiice, whither they arc 
’v I'^Pttir for the purpose of respiration. 
C ^tv V ■ associated beavers, there are others which lead 
u Wgjj and, instead of constructing caverns, or vaulted 
V receptacles, content themselves with forming 
V '' hi banks of rivers. When taken young, the 
A he readily tamed ; and in that state appoar.s to 
' tytii ^ gentle disposition, but docs not exhibit 
r otns of superior sagacity. 
THE CHAMELEON. 
Ka, 
4 piimhers can the varj ing robe ex[ircss, 
ahe each new clay presents a cUli'ercnt dress. 
been more celebrated by naturalists than 
j'^EON, w'hicli is .said to possess the power of 
'’C'^hy* r-olour at pleasure, and of assimilating it to 
object or situation. This, however, is 
V;,j. with certain limitations, the change of colour 
Vyi hi degree, according to the circumstances of 
y'of ^^Pyatiire of weather, and other causes. It is a 
ViAh ‘hid India, and has likewise been seen in the 
hseir Europe. It is harmless in its nature, and 
01 ! % feeding on insects, for which purpose the 
^he tongue is admirably adapted. 
It consists of 
