CHAMELEONS. 
To speak of the chameleon is to speak upon a subject 
somewhat analogous to the conjurer’s inexhaustible bottle ; 
the more it is handled the more there is to gain from it. 
There is so much connected with these animals not 
generally known, and they are brought to this country so 
frequently, and kept sometimes as “ pets,” but oftener on 
account of their remarkable form and singular habits, that 
a few remarks upon them may not be without interest to 
those persons who possess specimens, in enabling them to 
preserve them alive, and by so doing to become acquainted 
with their habits and economy. 
The cause of change of colour in the chameleon appears 
to be imperfectly understood, although so much has been 
written upon this subject. Many other animals exhibit 
the same power, but to a more limited extent. It is 
highly probable that the change may be partly involuntary, 
because some fishes, reptiles, and insects, if removed from 
one situation in which their colours assimilate to the sur- 
rounding objects, to another to which they at first form a 
strong contrast, they will in a very short space of time 
adapt their colours to that of the new position, this change 
affording probably “ a protection from their enemies.” 
This object of the change of colour may be questioned in 
regard to the chameleon, as that reptile may be free from 
enemies. Again, the power of assimilating its colour to 
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