88 SAURIA. — GECKOTID^. 



size, and the greatest number feed on small ani- 

 mals, such as insects, their larvae and pupse. 

 These they catch either by lying in ambush, or 

 by pursuing their feeble prey in the holes and 

 dark crevices to which it retires. The structure 

 of their feet enables them to run in every direction 

 over the smoothest surfaces, and they can even 

 remain suspended beneath the large leaves which 

 a luxuriant tropical vegetation so frequently puts 

 forth. The sharp or retractile nails with which 

 the feet of the greater number are armed enable 

 them to cling to and make rapid progress on 

 trees with the smoothest bark, or penetrate the 

 holes of rocks, and to climb walls. Of sombre or 

 varying colours, adapted generally to the locality 

 where their lot is cast, they will often remain for 

 hours in positions as extraordinary as the flies 

 and insects for which they watch ; the wonderful 

 apparatus with which their feet are furnished 

 enabling them to overcome the general law of 

 gravity, and without which they would instantly 

 fall to the earth. The hues of their skins thus 

 render them less objects of suspicion to the little 

 animals for which they lie in wait, and also serve 

 to dodge even the acute eye of the bird of prey 

 that seeks to destroy them. Their eyes enable 

 them to discern objects in the dark, and are at 

 the same time capable of bearing the rays of a 

 bright sun ; for many insects are nocturnal or 

 crepuscular, w^hile the great mass of them are 

 diurnal. The pursuit of their prey leads them 

 near the habitations of man, whose dwelling 

 always attracts certain kinds of insects, and 

 they sometimes fall victims to their appearance, 

 which frequently inspires terror, and often dis- 



