204 Mr. G. A. Boulenger on Tarentola americana. 
XXXJ.—WNote on Tarentola americana, Gray. 
By G. A. BOULENGER. 
On one of my last visits to the Paris Museum I was 
enabled, by the courtesy of Prof. Vaillant, to examine the 
type specimen of the Gecko named Tarentola americana by 
Gray and Platydactylus Milbertii by Duméril and Bibron. 
This specimen, sent by Milbert from New York to the Paris 
Museum, probably came from some West-Indian Island,— 
which we cannot say, as the lizard does not appear to have 
been rediscovered since. It bears most affinity to the Cuban 
T. cubana, Gundl. & Peters, the type of which I examined 
in the Berlin Museum (cf. Cat. Liz. ili. p. 490), and the West- 
African 7’. Delalandit, D. & B., but represents unquestionably 
a valid species. As in these species, the supraorbital bone is 
absent. The tubercles are larger than in 7. Delalandit, 
scarcely keeled, in 12 series on the back ; the enlarged caudal 
tubercles are smooth and nearly flat. The ear-opening is 
entirely surrounded by a fringe of converging conical tubercles. 
The symphysial (mental) shield is about once and a half as 
long as it is broad in the middle. 
The number of well-defined species of Tarentola has now 
risen to nine, which may be distinguished by means of the 
following key :— 
I. Supraveular region bony ; 13 to 20 scales across the head, from eye 
to eye. 
A. Tail rounded on the sides, elliptical in section. 
Dorsal tubercles strongly keeled ...... 1. T. mauritanica, L.. 
Dorsal tubercles smooth or feebly keeled 2. 7. ephippiata, O’Sh. 
B. Tail flat inferiorly, with sharpish lateral edge. 
Anterior border of ear denticulate .... 3. 7. annularis, Geoffr. 
Anterior border of ear not denticulate.. 4. 7. senegalensis, Blgr. 
IL. Supraorbital bone present, but small; 10 to 12 scales from eye to 
Civewdss depo aaounss 6a0% ..... O IL. neglecta, Strauch. 
III. No supraorbital bone; 15 to 23 scales from eye to eye. 
A. Anterior border of ear not denticulate; dorsal tubercles smooth 
or feebly keeled; symphysial shield at least twice as long as 
broad in the middle. 
Symphysial shield not thrice as long as 
broad in the middle............ 6. T. Delalandi, D. & B. 
Symphysial shield thrice as long as broad 
Me oheMId dle .).:5.<...40 cherevaiaenaies 7. T. gigas, Bocage. 
B. Anterior border of ear denticulate. 
Symphysial shield about once and a half 
as long as broad in the middle; 
dorsal tubercles very feebly keeled. 8. 7. americana, Gray. 
Symphysial shield about twice as long as 
broad in the middle; dorsal 
tubercles strongly keeled ...... 9. T.ecubana, Gundl. & Peters. 
