Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-07-16
CATCHING OF LIZARDS.
They Are Used as Insect DestrOyers
and Are shipped In Large Num-
beers from the south

I
There are probably very few persons
in New Orleans who have not seen the
little green lizard that hangs about
the treilis or the rose bushes. II they
knew that in the category Of science
he was Anolis Carolinensis they might
have suspected that he was named for
his tail. If he dropped his name as
easily as he drops his tail, there might
be many cases Of mistaken identity 10
record. This readiness TO leave his
posterior member behind him Is a
very important item in the economy
of lizard catching. which has become
very extensive industry in New Or
leans The chameleon. as he Is called,
has many points about him that have
rendered him attractive or conspicu-
Gus. and the demand for him in sec
tions Of the country not lying near the
eastern and central part Of the Mex
lean Gulf has been steady for some
time, reports the New Orleans Times
Democrat.
AAt AAAlE lux "a ANAhAH - tffA
the habit Of the chameleon that has
rendered him most attractive to the
lovers of the curious, though his do
eility has also helped to place him IN
the category Of pets. The changing
of color is an altogether voluntary
affair, and Is performed for protective
purposes. Many birds. while they are
Of color that accords with theircom-
monest surroundings. are often exf
posed by their presence in some other
surroundings. But the remedy FOR
them in such cases Is simple; they
need merely fly 10 the surroundings
that protect them. The chameleon.
however, not being able 20 get as
rapidly from one environment 20
another as the birds, takes the pre-.
caution TO work up as quickly as pos
sible 10 the shade Of the particular
surface on which he rests. From clear
green 70 a muddy dark brown there
are many shades through brown.
olive brown and olive green. There
is no ore Of these that the chameleon
assume for himself
As an insect destroyer the chame-
leon Is unexcelled. There has been
some Tumor lately 10 the effect that |
the dealers who ship lizards from |
here take advantage Of this fact, and |
that large shipments Of chameleons |
are being made TO California tc rid |
the fruit orchards OF insects. When
lsked about this matter recently. most |
u the birds and pet dealers protested |
ignorance Of the matter, though at |
one store il was learned that large
shipments are made TO California as |
we'll as 70 other parts Of the conn
Try. Those vouchsafing the informa-
ion said they did not know whether
lealers in California to whom the
lizards ere shipped sold them for the
purpose of destroying insects. At all
events. great numbers OF the little
'eptiles are constantly sent out Of
Sew Orleans. The dealers here buy
hem for one dollar a hundred. and
n sending away large quantities they
louble the cost. Single specimens
ell at ten cents, The reporter was
hown a consignment of 500 that were
o go TO Philadelphia. They were
aged in an ordinary dry goods box.
With ne ting on one side. Wet sponges
we're put in the box. The percentage
4 deaths when the chameleons are
hipped with ordinary experience is
eldom over ten per cent. Before be.
ng sent away the lizards are kept in
arge bird cages. In that case the
ercentage is about one. not counting
he death Of those injured in being
aught.