chamæleon (kameleon)

[L., a chameleon: see chameleon.] 1. See chameleon.-2. [ cap.] [NL.] The typical genus of the family Chamæleontida, containing the chameleons. See chameleon.-3. A name given by Theophrastus and other early writers to certain plants, because their leaves change color frequently. The black chamæleon is believed to have been Cardopatium corymbo sum, a thistle-like plant of the Mediterranean region. The white chamæleon was the Carlin a gummifera. The roots of both contain an acrid resin and were used medicinally. Chamæleonida (ka-mē-lē-on'i-da), n. pl. [NL., crania by the absence of the columella and See Chameleon tidæ and Chamæleon , 2. Chamæleonidæ (ka-mē-lē-on'i-dē), n. pl. Same as Chamæleontida.