Lizards in India.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 July 1914, Page 8

Lizards in India.

I wonder whether any of your readers have ever played billiards i under more peculiar circumstances , than I have seen them played here :in North-West Ind la (says a cor- ■ respondent). It is quite a common occurrence for lizards to drop on j the table while anyone is in the act lof making a stroke. Sometimes • they will fal1. on the balls or the '~ cue, and I have seen them drop j straight into the pocket. Of course ; a player is rather startled for the first time, but soon becomes accustomed to them. If a ball strikes them they will quickly scamper off the table, but if left untouched they will look round them with their bright, intelligent-looking eyes. I cannot account for them falling i like that unless they are attracted by the movement of the hall, and lose their grip upon the rafters, or, perhaps, who can tell, they become interested in a game and get ex- | cited. They are never molested out ! here, for they are the deadliest | enemy of our worst post the raos- \ quito. In fact, they will devour ' almoTst any insoct. It is quite in- : tercsling during the' cool of the1 evening to watch about ten or i twelve li/ards all pe.-f.--d.ly sfil.l on j a wall. Woe bolide any unwary in- j sect that is foolish enough to .settle ' on that wall. There is a lightning : rush, a .snap, an.l the insect is no more. SoniK imc-s they overreach themselves and fall. When, they fall ! they land !!■- on Lheir .stomach ' wi.ii a sicke:ii. :f v Hop, like a piece ! of \ei\\- firm jelly. | The first on,, 1 ever saw dropped :' on a book , was r:-:■• \i<.)-x, ;.; : d n.>arly frightened (h- v. iI p. out -of me. l