Mimi Spector, age 7, of Eugene, Ore., for her question:

WHY DO CHAMELEONS CHANGE COLORS?

The chameleon is a lizard who can change his color to look like his surroundings and thus conceal himself from his enemies.

This magic can be performed because the chameleon has within his skin a great number of small cells closely packed together and filled with small granules. This causes a white color by reflected light. Other cells are full of oil and appear yellow while still others contain brown pigment. Changes in color are brought about by contraction of different parts of the skin and the movement of the different pigments. When all the pigment is forced to the surface, the chameleon looks dark. He's green when the pigment is not near the surface.