As it was passing onward, its eyes fell upon the latter as he climbed up his silken ladder.

All at once the lizard stopped, and put itself into a crouching attitude.

Its colour suddenly changed.

The vermilion throat became white, and then ashy pale; and the bright green of its body faded into dark brown or rust colour, until it was difficult to distinguish the animal from the bark of the liana! Had the eyes of the spectators not been already fixed upon it, they might have supposed that it had disappeared altogether.

After crouching for a few seconds, it seemed to have formed its plan of attack--for it was evident that it meant to attack the spider--such, with flies and other insects, being its natural food and prey.