THE ANIMAL LIFE OF TlIK (iliOUP. 297 



so far been described from the islands. They are eoniiii(iiil\ called lizards hy 

 Europeans, but were all known by llic name moo l)\- Ihc iiatiNc iiihaliitants, 

 and were worshipped as gods by the female chiefs. All ni' Ihc species are 

 quite generally distributed over the group, and. according to my fi-icnd l)i-. L. 

 Stejneger, avIio has given the subject much study, the species found in llic 

 islands have a wide distribution throughout Polynesia. 



They are interesting, harmless little creatures that do much towards 

 keeping mites, ants and mosrpiitoes in elieck. For tln^ most ])ar1 they are 

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

 wuidoAV screens. During the daytime the common species find sheltei- in the 

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

 can secrete themselves. Their white eggs are a])(>nt the size of a small l)ean, 

 and are usually attached to some object near llic place where the nidi her 

 hides during the day. In due coui'se of time the young animal liatches fi'om 

 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 natui-al food. 

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

 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 top of the head and the absence of miinite 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 sjx'cies 

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

 Islands. 



The three species of skinks -^ are snuill, smooth and shiny, and all have 

 more or less conspicuous longitudinal stripes. They have much Itie same 

 habits as have already been described for the geckos and, like them, are vei'y 

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

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

 than the portion lost. On rai'e occasions two oi- three tails will gi-ow (Uit of 

 the injured stunq), giviim the animal an odd appcai-ance. The ability of, 

 the gecku to change color in order to resemble the object upon which it is i-esting 

 furnishes an example of voluntary color ])rotection that is most interesting. 



Frogs and Toads. 



The first frogs were bi'ought to the islands hy the I\oyal Agi'iciiltural 

 Society at a date prior to 1867. The earliest delinitely recorded shi|mient, 

 however, was made in the year just mentioiuxl. ^\•hell "frogs were libciatcd 

 at Paw^aa," in TTonolulu. Several species of frogs ami loads ha\-e heen 

 introduced into the group in more recent years, fi-om .Tai)an and .VnnM-ica. with 

 the residt that they are now connuon in .-dl the fresh wati-r stn^ims ami ponds 



-" Geckuiiidir. -' Sriiicida'. 



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