LIZARDS. 123 



One dull soft-looking light-drab variety, with 

 very large protruding black eyes, I only see 

 inside the house. It is one of the wide-headed 

 species, and looks very weird 011 the whitewashed 

 walls. 



Very light painted or whitewashed walls seem 

 to me the most appropriate for a hot climate. 

 Paper may look more elegant for a short time, 

 but is sure to discolour and peel off in patches 

 in the rainy season, looking most untidy. White- 

 wash has the further advantage of being healthy 

 and clean, and easily renewed, and all the pests 

 that frequent a house are more readily discovered 

 on white walls. 



Several times I have suddenly raised my eyes 

 from my book or writing and found a huge 

 brown spider on the walls just before me, the 

 sight of his horrible hairy body and legs making 

 my heart beat fast with the fear that perhaps 

 he may vanish before the boot or towel where- 

 with to smash him can be fetched, and that the 

 next time I see him may be on my dress. 



One I killed must have been a female carrying 



