392 



NA rCR A L HIS TOR Y. 



old Dame Nature soon repairs the damage, and in a short time the unfortu- 

 nate is provided with a new tail as good as the one lost. The geckos have 

 even been seen to eat their own tails. Why, no one knows. It may be 

 that they think them a superfluity, or perhaps they have a peculiar, if not 

 a praiseworthy affection for their own flesh and blood. 



Fio. 346.— Geckos {Platydactylvs) . 



Sir Emerson Tennent, in his account of Ceylon, writes: "In the. 

 boudoir where the ladies of my family spent their evenings, one of these 

 familiar and amusing little creatures had its hiding-place behind a gilt 

 picture-frame. Punctually, as the candles were lighted, it made its. 

 appearance on the wall, to be fed with its accustomed crumb; and 

 if neglected, it reit crated its sharp, quick call of chic, chic, chit, till 

 attended to." 



