74 



THE WOODSLAVE. 



and the bright beams of the sun are a torture to this dweller in darkness, which, if over- 

 taken by daylight while out of its refuge, crawls away to the nearest cranny and there 

 buries itself "until the evening hours bring with them the desired shades, and restore the 

 animal to its wonted activity. It is extremely shy, and even in the dusk it will avoid the 

 dangerous approach of an intruder by silently slipping under the cover of the loose bark, 



or hiding itself among the decay- 

 ing wood. 



It is quite a little creature, 

 rarely measuring more than four 

 inches in length, and often not 

 reaching even those moderate di- 

 mensions. As is the case with 

 many Lizards, it is liable to cer- 

 tain variations in colouring, but 

 its general tints are as follows : 

 The back and upper portions of 

 the body are yellowish brown 

 with a decided yellow wash, and 

 banded with several dark brown 

 bars, rather curved. Scattered 

 over the body are certain pro- 

 tuberant scales of a lighter hue. 

 The tail is a pale brownish purple 

 with a reddish gloss, and speckled 

 with warm chestnut-brown. The 

 abdomen, and the under portions 

 of the body and limbs are ochry 

 yellow and the eyes are, although 

 devoid of expression and of a 

 passionless brightness like po- 

 lished stone, very shining and 

 of a bright orange-brown. The 

 whole form of this Lizard is rather 

 thick and clumsy. 



As this family contains at least 

 forty genera, it is manifestly im- 

 possible to mention more than a 

 few species, which can be accepted 

 as types of the family, and serve 

 as links to render the chain of 

 nature complete. Passing, there- 

 fore, several series of genera., we 

 will give a short time to one or 

 two species of Gecko before pro- 

 ceeding to the next family. 



The WOODSLAVE, as the reptile is popularly termed by the natives of the country 

 where it resides, or the BANDED SPH^EODACTYLE (Sphceroddctylus sputdtor), as it is more 

 scientifically called by British zoologists, is a small species of Gecko found in most of the 

 American islands, and is spread over many portions of South America ; and is held in 

 great dread by the white and dark population. It is generally supposed to possess a store 

 of venomous saliva, causing the part of the body on which it falls to swell grievously, 

 and to eject this poisonous substance from some distance upon those who chance to vex 

 its irascible temper. The specific term sputator signifies a spitter, and has been given to 

 the reptile on account of this supposed propensity. The poisonous saliva is said to 

 be black. 



CAPE TARENTOLA. 



