Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/90

82 over the edge, and their tails curled round one of the small divisions of the wicker-work, and it was curious to observe the firmness of their hold in this way. On going in with a candle, they always appeared of a pale ashy stone-colour or a spectral blue, like the tint cast upon the face by coming opposite a blue bottle in a chemist's window. Their motions were exceedingly slow, always firmly attaching one foot before letting go with the other. They were lost several times, and Mr. Slight was afraid to step about the room, lest he should tread on them, but they were generally found in the folds of the curtain, not on the blue lining, but on the chintz. One side was often seen nearly of a stone colour, while the other was blackish green; the changes of hue were always rapid, and attended by either elevation or depression of the ribs.

The Geckos form a numerous but well-defined Family, widely diffused over the hot regions of both hemispheres. They are all of small size, but of somewhat uncouth proportions, and of repulsive appearance; the head being large and flat, the neck short, the body stout and protuberant, with the line of the back rather depressed than ridged. The eyes are full and large, and being destitute of visible eyelids, always appear staring; the pupil is, for the most part, a perpendicular line by day, with notched edges. The feet are nearly equal, short, stout, and terminated