GECKOS. 



8S 



by five toes, differing little in length, which 

 radiate as if from a centre, so as to form two- 

 thirds of a circle. The under surface of the toes 

 is, in most of the genera, much widened, and fur- 

 nished with small plates, or laminae, overlapping 

 each other in a regular manner, which varies in 

 different genera and species. The toes are fre- 

 quently united by a membrane at their base. 



FEET OF GECKOS. 



The claws are pointed, hooked, and kept con- 

 stantly sharp, by an apparatus by which they 

 are capable of retraction, like those of the cat. 

 In some genera, however, the claws are wanting. 

 The jaws of the Geckos are armed all round 

 with a single row of minute teeth, which are 

 compressed, with cutting edges, implanted in the 

 interior surface of the jaw-bone ; the palate is 

 destitute of teeth. The mouth is wide ; the 

 tongue is thick and fleshy ; slightly extensile, 

 with the extremity sometimes notched. The ears 

 are situated on the sides of the head, the tym- 



