374 THE ANIMALS OP NEW ZEALAND 



Very little is known about the domestic economy of the brown 

 geckos. They are nocturnal in habits, and hide under stones or 

 the bark of trees in the daytime. 



Key to the Species. 



1. Compressed portion of the toe I of the whole. D. maculatus. 

 Compressed portion of the toe g of the whole. 2 



2. Toes webbed at the base. D. paeificus. 

 Toes not webbed at the base. D. granulatus. 



The Tree Lizard. — Mokopapa. 



Dacti/locnemis paeificus. 



Brown above, witli irregular transverse bands on the back and tail, and 

 frequently a dark band on each side. Lower surface, whitish. Toes not 

 much dilated, the width of the dilated part being one-third of its length; 

 the length of the narrow part is one-third of the whole; a distinct web 

 on the base of the toes. Length, 6^2 inches, of which the tail forms about 

 one-half. North Island only. 



The tree lizard lives on trees, and is very sluggish in its 

 movements. It is common in the Auckland district. 



The Long-toed Lizard. 



Dactylocnemis granulatus. 



Greyish, or brown, above, with dark brown vermiculations and irregular 

 cross-bands, which are light edged in front; a dark band on each side. 

 Toes not much dilated, and no trace of a web; the length of the narrow 

 part is one-third of the whole. Length, up to 7% inches, of which the tail 

 forms more than half. Both Islands, also Stephen Island. 



Of this species Mr. Colenso says : — ' ' I obtained two fine living 

 specimens of this lizard last summer while in the woods, and one 

 since, a smaller one, also living, from Mr Balfour. This last 

 is still living, although it has not eaten anything since I received 

 it, nearly six weeks back. It has only taken, at intervals of 

 several days, a very little water, and this when I put it into a 

 wash-hand basin to take a swim. On being taken out. it 

 invariably licks up a few drops. Hitherto it has refused flies, 

 which my other lizards always greedily ate ; and I have supposed 

 much might be owing to its hybernating season not being over. 

 It is exceedingly quiet, and rarely moves about. It often changes 



