100 SAURIA. 



tail is reproduced, it is rounder, thicker, sometimes bifid or trifid ; and if it originally had 

 tubercles or a series of enlarged subcaudals, these tubercles and shields are sometimes absent, 

 or at fii'st much less developed. The reproduction of the tail is so quick a process, that it is 

 certainly often renewed dui'ing the lifetime of the animal. 



Larger shields or scales are only present round the margin of the jaws, and sometimes in 

 the prseanal region. The rostral shield is one of the largest, and either contiguous to the 

 nostrils or separated only by a very small shield. The larger scales in the prseanal region 

 are generally in connexion with the pores which are found in the greater part of the species, 

 either along the inner side of the femur, or across the praeanal region. The presence or 

 absence of these pores is not a specific character, as where present in a species they are peculiar 

 to the male sex only. 



There is a great tendency towards an enlargement of the surface of the body by expansions 

 of the skin: it is very loose, and forms a slight fold along the sides of the body, in 

 numerous Indian Geckos ; others have a more or less developed web between the toes ; 

 Peripia and Nycteridium have a broad fold in the ham, which prevents the log from being 

 stretched in a straight line. The lateral fold is more developed in Nycteridium than in 

 other Geckos ; and, finally, Ptychozoon shows such a development of these cutaneous expan- 

 sions that they become of essential assistance in locomotion, as will be seen in the description 

 of that genus. 



I have observed in many Geckos a calcareous mass on each side of the neck, at the 

 place where the parotoid gland of the Toads is situated. This secretion may be entirely 

 absent in some individuals, forming in others of the same species only a thin layer of soft 

 consistence, whilst in others, again, it is accumulated \i\ round and hard masses. No pores 

 in the skin are visible externally. 



The Geckos do not attain to any considerable size, the largest species being from 10 to 

 14 inches long. They are carnivorous animals, destroying insects, moths, and even the 

 younger and weaker members of their own species ; Geckos have even been seen devouring 

 their own tail. They are of fierce habits, fighting between themselves, particularly when 

 one has caught a larger insect than he is able to swallow at once. They make a spring at 

 their victim. Their greediness has developed some intellectual faculties in the House 

 Geckos: accustomed to be fed at a certain time with rice, &c., these little lizards will 

 punctually make theii' appearance, and fearlessly take the profiered food*. 



Another peculiarity of the Geckos is that they are endowed with voice: in Gecko 

 guttatus it is a shrill cry, sounding like "To-kee"; in Gecko monarchus it resembles the 

 monosyllable " Tok," repeated six or eight times with increased celerity ; in Hemidactylus 

 frcenatus it is a sharp quick call, like " Chic, chic, chit," &c. They have several vernacular 

 names in imitation of these sounds — as Too-kai, To-kee, Cheecha, Gokee, Keko ( Gecko). 



The following genera are known to exist in British India : — 



* Tennenf s Nat. Hist. Ceyloiij p. 282. 



