New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-26
THE FLORIDA CHAMELEON.
UNSURPASSED IN THE ART OF CATCH
ING FLIES.
PrGMY ALLIGATOR EASILY TRAINED AND
GREAT PET AMONG THE WOMEN

One OF the most Characteristic creatures in
Florida is the so-cailcd chameleon or piSmy
lizard (Anos prime palis), which ~ found IN all
parts Of the state Although called chame-
leon 1t bears no resemblance TO It's name3aKe IN
Asia and Africa except the power TO change us
hue, ard that change IS due to desire 10 pro-
cure food to protect itself from foes by as
Stunning the color OF its immediate surroundings.
II placed on piece OF white paper IL peeon"S
Of "A snowy hue in appearance in Few mo
ments; transferred to bush it becomes pae
green. and placed on the ground 1t assumes the
color of the soil yery rapidly.
It's ordinary hue on the ground is brownsh
black and it may retain that for some ine
after climbing a tree. but on the approach OF a
foe its Transformation scene" takes place with
magical raridity.
Tranquility or anger, sunshine shadow.
hunger plenty Of food. affects its color Whlch
seems to change with the state OF its feelings.
Few persons would consider that this graceful
and active little creature bore any relationship
to such ungany brutes as the crocodile ana al
ligator, yet ii is a member OF the same fain.iy
and one Of the connecting links between the
saurians and Orhidians. or snakes.
1t is merely pemy alligator adapted to Nv
ing entirely on land. and modified i'm form ana
character by It's mode Of life. Among its KIN
dred are the gavals, skinks. crocodes geckoes
and iguanas. All are carnivorous, the smaller
feeding insects and the larger on Whatever
they can capture. one of the nearest living rela-
tivcs OF the chameleon in the United States is
the ella monster OF Arizona, yet no two allied
creatures can be more dissimilar In character.
the former being active. graceful and gentle the
latter il-natured. moody and sluggish and Sc
creting poison so YcnOrnous that ii Is danger
Gus even 10 man and the higher quadrupeds.
The ella monster Is foot in length and the
/ chameleon about six inches.
All lizards present the phenomenon II being
able to renew their tails after they have been
cut off and the tails retain life for consider
able time after being severed from the body.
The oaudal Of lizard being brittle and easily
snapped Of gave rise to the tales in Giro ulatlcn
among old farmers concerning the glass snake.
which could fall to pieces on being hit and then
reunite. no matter how far apart the pieces
nigh; be.
We know that If the earthworm is cut in
halves ii can develop perfect animal from
each part. but no thinker believes II can rcuniie
when chopped into bits or produce a complete
body.
The chamcleons tail is three inchos long. and
tapors to a thread-like point. The head Is Nat.
and somewhat pyrifOrm the eyes are gentle in
appearance. bright and alert. the teeth sharp.
fine and numerous, and the body long and
slender.
1t has four legs and the hind pair are special
Is fitted for rapid running and long jumping.
being widely set and elongated. The feet are
large. compared To the size Of the body: and the
toes broad spreading. These charao teristics IN
able it to jump very high and 10 travel over
ground with a celebrity which fully entities 1t 20
the name Of swift. | have seen II jump TWO
feet into the air after fly, and oufun cat IN
a distance OF sixty feet.
The chameleon IL unsurpassed among quadrn-
pcds as a fy-catchcr. and is as effective in this
way on trees rs the toad is on the ground. II
wand,rs over tree Tor hours together closely
scanning the foliage and promptly sobbIing
The dainty manner in which II holds an insect
in It's mouth before deYouring il is rather anus
ing. for IL looks a. If il were revelling I'm antiei-
patton. II may carry ny in this manner for
several minutes before eating II. just as "A at
carries mouse, then sup it suddenly.
Some II the negroes think the creature is poi
sonous and try to kill it. but they never repeat
the effort in my presence. for consider il one
81 the best friends Of the farmer.
Like every other creature on this planet The
chameleon has faults that arc more apparent
ban re- al l-lI =
It will. for instance rapidly reduce the num-
Der Of the inhabitants Of an apiary If il can
force an entrance. yet il is not a bad in that
way as . toad. because 1t cannot eat 50 much
and is not quick i'm catching insects. Bee
hives should. therefore. be protected from IFS
ravagcs.
The most ruthless enemy Of the chameleon Is
the strike. butcher bird. because II pounces
upon it suddenly and. taking it 10 Convenient
tree bush. faStenS II on a thorn. with MICE
beetles and other creatures. and leaves II sus-
pended until it is needed FOR food. This bird de-
stroys far more than it requires. many being
left on the thOrns until they fall To pieces from
decomposition.
The chameleon being of fearless disposition
is easily tanned by kindness. and If given the
run OF the house soon becomes familiar with the
human inmates and takes flies from their
hands After eating it cocks its little brown
eyes first on side then on the other as ihucn
as 10 ask if there are any more dalntIes' ana
when il does not get them ii scutties away 10
some favoritc retreat. generally sunny nook
near the window.
Il vas a great pet among women a short time
ago and many tied il To their dresses 10y means
of tiny golden chains. but the suggestions made
by masculine critics a. To why they were
chained gave them their freedom.
The chameleon puhs out its little throat 0o'a-
sionallV as if il were very angry ana ready 10
attack everything. but that IS all mere demon.
stration. for it never assails anything mercer
than a lively fly or a fat caterpillar. rms u'S
OF cnlarging it's dimensions is tfait lnh"ilteu