Not only in the huts of the natives, but in the abodes of the wealthy
white men, hid during the day in dark corners, are numbers of dark grey,
hideous-looking lizards, which, when night comes on, crawl rapidly over
the walls and ceilings, hunting for the flies and other insects to be
found there. Repulsive as are these little geckos, and undeservedly
possessing a bad name for being poisonous, they are not only harmless,
but render good service by the destruction of numerous household pests.
Their large eyes are so constructed that they can discern objects in the
dark, and are at the same time capable of bearing the rays of the bright
sun. Their colour, too, enables them to escape detection by the
creatures which attack them, while they are thus hid from the prey for
which they lie in wait. They can also bend themselves in an
extraordinary way into hollows and crevices.
But their feet are especially curious, being admirably adapted for
clinging to and running over smooth surfaces. The under side of their
toes is expanded into cushions, beneath which folds of skin form a
series of flexible plates. By means of this apparatus they can run or
crawl across a smooth ceiling with their backs downwards--the soft
soles, by quick, muscular action, exhausting and admitting air
alternately. They are also provided with sharp claws, which enable them
to climb up the trunks of trees, and over rough surfaces.
The Brazilians call them osgas, and believe that they poison by their
touch whatever they pass over. Probably, however, if any annoyance does
arise from them, it is when with their sharp claws they run across a
sleeping man, or small blisters have been raised by the adhering
apparatus at the bottom of their feet. By some "the spider, which
taketh hold with her hands," is believed to be a gecko, as a species of
this creature is very common in the East. The popular prejudice against
them causes the death of many a poor gecko, who, had he been allowed to
live, would have rendered good service to his persecutors. Those in the
houses are of small size; but others, existing in the forest, and living
in the crevices of the trees, are of considerable magnitude. Their
tails are easily struck off--the loss being, however, as is the case
with other lizards, repaired by a new growth, though less perfect than
the original member.