ir. 
GRAND CAIRO. 79 
lizard made its appearance in every chamber, chap. 
having circular membranes at the extremity of 
its feet, which gave it such tenacity, that it 
walked upon window-panes of glass, or upon 
the surfaces of pendent mirrors ^ This revolting 
sight was common to every apartment, whe- 
ther in the houses of the rich or of the poor. 
At the same time, such a plague of flies covered 
all things with their swarms, that it was impos- 
sible to eat without hiring persons to stand by 
every table with feathers, or flappers, to drive 
them away. Liquor could not be poured into a 
glass ; the mode of drinking was, by keeping 
the mouth of every bottle covered until the 
moment it was applied to the hps ; and instantly 
covering it with the palm of the hand, when 
removing it to offer to any one else. The 
utmost attention to cleanliness, by a frequent 
change of every article of wearing apparel, 
could not repel the attacks of vermin which 
seemed to infest even the air of the place. A 
gentleman made his appearance, before a party 
he had invited to dinner, with lice swarming 
(2) A similar membrane termmates each foot of. a common fly; 
beneath which, a vacuum takes place, and the animal maintains a 
footing upon ceilings, owing to the pressure of the extefnal air iipou 
this membrane. 
