224 
BLUEFIELDS. 
itself in the intense beams of the vertical sun is a 
beautiful tint ; and the surface being covered with 
minute tuberculous scales, which reflect the light, have 
a frosted appearance, which is exceedingly rich. It 
is fond of leaping about the serrate leaves of the 
Pinguin, and of lying in their hollows ; and in March 
and April, when the interior leaves of this formidable 
plant are spreading out, all glossily scarlet as they 
are, the bright green form of the little Anolis, 
couchant or passant, is displayed to much advantage. 
The female of this species differs so much from 
the male in size and colours, that if I had not had 
indubitable evidence of her identity, I should have 
supposed her quite distinct. She is much less com- 
monly seen than the other sex. 
Before I bid adieu to these little engaging rep- 
tiles, I will transcribe a note of Mr. Hill’s on the 
interesting subject of their changeability of colour. 
‘‘ It is now pretty satisfactorily determined, that the 
direct or more immediate cause of this peculiarity is 
physiological, and dependent on the action of the 
lungs upon the circulatory system. Their lungs are 
large, dilatable, and prolonged; and the phenome- 
non itself is always most remarkable among Lizards, 
whose general cutaneous covering does not adhere 
closely or uniformly to the muscular layer beneath. 
A large portion of air enters below the skin ; and as 
it is variously distributed, according to the state of 
the reptile, in respect to tranquillity or disquietude, 
it gives the many-coloured hues we see so instanta- 
neously occurring in them. Cuvier says, that ‘ in 
effect, their lungs, rendering them more or less trails- 
