90 SAURIA. GECKOTID.E. 



Genus Thecadactylus (Cuv.). 



The claw in this genus is completely retractile ; 

 the toes, which are widened throughout their 

 length, being furnished with transverse plates 

 beneath, which are divided by a deep longitudinal 

 groove, to receive the claw. Those known have 

 the innermost toe destitute of a claw, they have 

 no femoral pores, and the tail is clothed with 

 minute scales on both the upper and under sur- 

 faces. 



The Smooth Sheath -claw {Thecadactylus Icevis, 

 Cuv.) has the transverse scales beneath the toes 

 numerous : it is about nine inches in length, of a 

 stout form, of a pale reddish hue, marked with 

 transverse bands of bro^vn ; the sides are spotted 

 with red, and there is over each shoulder a black 

 patch with a white dot in the centre. The tail is 

 vertically compressed towards the tip ; but this 

 organ is readily detached, not only by violence, 

 but by the convulsive action of the reptile itself, 

 if put alive into spirits. In this latter case the 

 separated tail sometimes contracts and assumes an 

 almost globular form. From having been seen 

 in collections in this state, it has been supposed 

 to be a distinct species, and has been named the 

 Turnip-tailed Gecko {Gecko rapicauda). If the 

 animal escape after having thrown oif its tail, 

 a new one will be reproduced in a short time, 

 soon assuming the size and appearance of the old 

 one, and leaving scarcely any trace of the mis- 

 fortune, as we have proved in specimens in our 

 own possession in captivity. 



The Smooth Sheath-claw is a native of Jamaica, 



