SAURIANS. 437 



often obtain by waiting in ambush for them, or by pursuing them 

 into the holes and crevices to which they retreat for refuge. The 

 imbricated suckers of the feet permit these reptiles to traverse 

 ceilings, and suspend themselves on the under side of a leaf, 

 while^ watching the movements of their prey. 



Their sharp, hooked-like claws enable them to climb the bark 

 of trees with perfect facility ; to penetrate the cavities and clefts 

 of rocks, and to ascend walls for the purpose of finding chinks 

 or hollows in which they conceal themselves during the day, rest- 

 ing motionless, and affixed by the feet, with the back downwards. 

 We must not fail to notice the singular power which the 

 Geckos have of reproducing the tail when it is lost by accident. 

 Indeed, the tail appears to be brittle ; and when broken off, it is 

 soon replaced ; but a swelling at the base of the reproduced 

 member, marks its line of union. 



These reptiles, though persecuted, seem partial to the habita- 

 tions of men ; attracted thither by the flies which swarm in the 

 regions of their abode. It is useless to try to seize them. Their 

 power of adhesion is instantly overcome in the case of danger; 

 in their quick escape, not the slightest noise or rustle is heard, so 

 that they vanish as if by magic. Mrs. Mason, of the Baptist 

 mission in Burmah, says: "The first reptile that attracts the 

 attention of new comers, is the Gecko, or House Lizard. They 

 are every where ; under the sides of tables and chairs ; in the 

 closets and book-cases, and among the food and clothing. They 

 sometimes tumble from the roof upon the tables, but they usually 

 come struggling with a centipede, or some other vermin in their 

 mouths." So far from having any wish to destroy them, Mrs. 

 Mason says their services were invaluable, the best " help " sho 

 had. " This harmless little creature," she continues, "is repre- 

 sented by English, French, and German authorities, as ' a species 

 of poisonous lizard ; ' yet I have had them rest on the back of 

 my hand, and hang suspended from my fingers, without the 

 slightest disagreeable effect being produced." This is the ani- 

 mal mentioned in Prov. xxx., 28, correctly rendered by Jerome, 



" The Gecko taketh hold with her hands, 

 And dwelleth in kings' palaces." 



The Geckos are arranged, by some naturalists into seven ge- 

 nera, based upon the distinctive form of the toes and including 

 about sixty species. They are found in Asia, Africa, America 

 and Australia. 



The COMMON GECKO, G. verus, (Lat. true,) was noticed by 



