THE ANIMAL LIFE OF THE GROUP. 297 



so far been described from the islands. They are commonly called lizards by 

 Europeans, but were all known by the name moo by the native inhabitants, 

 and were worshipped as gods by the female chiefs. All of the species are 

 quite generallj- distributed over the group, and, according to my friend Dr. L. 

 Stejneger, who has given the subject much study, the species found in the 

 islands have a wide distribution throughout Polynesia. 



They are interesting, harmless little creatures that do much towards 

 keeping mites, ants and mosquitoes in cheek. For the most part they are 

 nocturnal in habit and are very often seen about houses, on lanais and 

 window screens. During the daytime the common species find shelter in the 

 dark, under boards, in crevices in the bark of trees or any place where they 

 can secrete themselves. Their white eggs are about the size of a small bean, 

 and are usually attached to some object near the place where the mother 

 hides during the day. In due course of time the young animal hatches from 

 the egg and is a miniature of the adult. It is about an inch and a half in 

 length, and at once takes up the task of supplying itself with its natural food. 

 They become quite tame and in many homes are protected and live a sheltered 

 life in a state of semi-domestication. 



Of the seven species, four belong to the gecko family.-" The peculiarities 

 which separate them at once from the skink family are the presence of a large 

 .symmetrical shield on the tciji of the head and the absence of minute scales 

 over the body. All four species of gecko have been taken in the same house, 

 and the characteristics which separate them from one another are somewhat 

 obscure, to the ordinary observer. Those interested in identifying the species 

 should consult Dr. Stejneger 's account of the land reptiles of the Hawaiian 

 Islands. 



The three species of skinks -' are small, sniodtli and shiny, and all have 

 moi'e or less conspicuous longitudinal stripes. They have much the same 

 habits as have already been described for the geckos and, like them, are very 

 liable to lose a portion of their tails at the slightest provocation. The missing 

 portion may be replaced in due time Avith a new tail which is usually smaller 

 than the portion lost. On rare occasions two or three tails will grow out of 

 the injured stump, giving the animal an odd appearance. The ability of 

 the gecko to change color in order to resemble the object upon which it is resting 

 furnishes an example of voluntary color protection that is most interesting. 



Frogs and To.vds. 



The first frogs were brought to llie ishmds by the Royal Agricultural 

 Society at a date prior to 1867. The earliest definitely recorded shipment, 

 however, was made in the year just mentioned, when "frogs were liberated 

 at Pawaa, " in Honolulu. Several species of frogs and toads have been 

 introduced into the group in more recent years, from Japan and America, with 

 the result that they are now common in all the fresh water streams and ponds 



20 



