ANIMALS THAT CHANGE COLOUR 69 
Several of the lizards are able to effect a 
transformation in the colour of their skin, 
one of the most notable being the variable 
lizard found in India, Ceylon, Southern China 
and the Malay Peninsula. When excited, the 
reptile expands its throat and changes the 
colour thereof from a pale yellowish tint to 
an intense scarlet hue, for which reason it is 
frequently called by the name of “ blood¬ 
sucker.” 
The Carolina or red-throated anolis is also 
capable of changing colour ; indeed, its power 
in such respect is even greater than that of 
the chameleon. Normally the lizard is of a 
bright green tint, but sometimes it assumes 
greyish and brown hues under the influence 
of certain conditions of light and temperature. 
When aroused by anger it distends the dewlap 
upon its throat, which then turns bright red 
in colour. 
The phenomenon of colour transformation 
is by no means unusual among the frogs, and 
even our common species is able to alter the 
tint of its skin. Sir Joseph Lister records 
having taken from the recess of a rock a 
specimen which was almost black in colour, 
but after he had placed it in the sunshine upon 
a flagstone, it gradually changed to a dusky 
yellow tint, mottled with dark spots. On 
