CHAP. III.] 



CHAMELEON. 



185 



to be sometimes asleep whilst the other is vigilant and 

 active : one will assume a green tinge whilst the opposite 

 one is red ; and it is said that the chameleon is utterly 

 unable to swim, from the incapacity of the muscles of 

 the two sides to act in concert. 



Ceratophora. An unique lizard, hitherto known by 

 only two specimens, one in the British Museum, and 

 another in that of Leyden, is the Ceratophora Stod- 

 dartii, distinguished by the peculiarity of its having 

 no external ear, whilst its muzzle bears on its extremity 

 the horn-like process from which it takes its name. 

 It has recently been discovered by Dr. Kelaart to be a 

 native of the higher Kandyan hills, where it is sometimes 

 seen in the older trees in pursuit of insect larvae. 1 



Geckoes. But the most familiar and attractive of the 

 class are the Geckoes 2 , that frequent the sitting-rooms, 

 and being furnished with pads to each toe, are enabled 

 to ascend perpendicular walls and adhere to glass 

 and ceilings. Being nocturnal in their habits, the pupil 

 of the eye, instead of being circular as in the diurnal 

 species, is linear and vertical like that of the cat. As 

 soon as evening arrives, the geckoes are to be seen in 

 every house in keen and crafty pursuit of their prey ; 

 emerging from the chinks and recesses where they con- 

 ceal themselves during the day, to search for insects that 

 then retire to settle for the night. In a 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 candle 

 were lighted, it made its appearance on the wall to be 

 fed with its accustomed crumb ; and, if neglected, it re- 

 iterated its sharp quick call of chic, chic, chit, till attended 

 to. It was of a delicate grey colour, tinged with pink ; 

 and having by accident fallen on a work-table, it fled, 

 leaving part of its tail behind it, which, however, it 



1 Dr. Kelaart has likewise dis- 

 covered at Neuera-ellia a Salea, dis- 

 tinct from the S. Jerdoni. 



3 Hemidactylus maculatus, Dum. 

 et Bib., Gray; H. Leschenaultii, 

 Dum. et Sib. ; II. frenatus, Schl&jel. 



