100 
HABITS OF THE CHAMELEON. 
nous trees were hardly met with here, and none of a 
large size ; no Mimosece or Ccesalpine(S, Of cultivated 
plants, the Sweet Cassada is much valued ; also rice, 
various sorts of Capsicum, Papayas, and Plantains ; 
Holcus, or Indian corn, here and there. Ananas grew 
in great quantities among the shrubs. 
One of the most interesting inhabitants of the bushes 
all over this coast, is the Chameleon Senegalensis. 
The usual colour is an obscure green ; the body is lizard- 
shaped, with the exception of the tail, which is generally 
longer, rounder, and thicker, often curled up, and, 
moreover, somewhat prehensile, or capable, when twisted 
round any object, of supporting the body. It is very 
inactive in its habits, and moves but slowly or seldom 
from a convenient resting-place. The tongue is long, 
and easily and rapidly extended in any direction, so that 
it answers all the purposes of procuring food. The 
eye of the Chameleon, though small soon detects the 
insects hovering about its neighbourhood, and with the 
utmost celerity it secures them by means of that member. 
In one which we kept on board some time, attached to 
a slender branch, it was amusing now and then to see 
an unwary fly rest for a moment on the sensitive crea- 
ture; if within reach of the tongue, the little intruder 
was soon seized. 
The colour of the skin changes, according to excite- 
ment of different degrees, mostly light, heat, or irritation 
from other causes. 
We arc inclined to believe that the variation in hue 
