230 CLASS REPTILIA. 



The Wall Gecko courts the heat, and avoids low and humid 

 stations. Accordingly it is frequently found under the roofs 

 of ruined houses, and old habitations of all kinds, where it 

 passes the winter, without, hovever, falling into a perfect state 

 of lethargy. In the first days of spring, it issues from its 

 retreat, and proceeds to warm itself in the sun ; but at the 

 slightest noise, or when it commences to rain, it retires again 

 into its hole. 



This animal, which is tolerably agile, feeds on insects, and 

 easily fastens itself to the walls, by the assistance of its crooked 

 claws, and the scales with which the under part of the toes 

 are furnished. Accordingly it is sometimes seen to walk in 

 a backward position, along the ceilings of rooms, or remain 

 a long time motionless under the vaulted roofs of churches, as 

 Olivier has observed. It has been reported, but erroneously, 

 to have been venomous. It utters no sound. 



The Lacerta Sputator, which some naturalists have refer- 

 red to the anolis, is placed by our author among the geckos, 

 in the family Spherodactyli. This saurian, of a small size, 

 is common in all the islands of America. Degur received one 

 from the island of St. Eustache, in 1755. M. Bosc possessed 

 one from St. Domingo. Aguilar says that it inhabits South 

 America, in houses, and in timber, and that it is named in 

 our language Woodslave. It climbs and runs with agility 

 along the walls. Sparman, who first made it known, says, 

 that if one approach too near, or disturb it, it shoots at the 

 indiscreet intruder a black spittle, of a poisonous nature, 

 which causes the part on which it falls to swell. This asser- 

 tion does not appear to be worthy of much credit. It never 

 issues from its hole but during day-light. 



Daudin refers, provisionally, to his Gecko Spinicauda, a 

 venomous gecko of the Indies, mentioned by Bontius and 

 Valentyn, employed by the inhabitants of Java to poison their 

 arrows. The first of these observers tells us that the bite of 

 this hideous reptile is so dangerous, that if the part affected 



