NO. 2224. NOTES ON HAWAIIAN LIZARDS—SNYDER. 23 



HEMroACTYLUS GARNOTH DumgrU and Bibron. 



This is the largest and most brightly colored of the Hawaiian 

 geckos. The upper parts present a fine mosaic of grays, browns, and 

 blacks, with prominent white spots which are arranged in somewhat 

 irregular rows. The under parts are bright lemon yellow, the throat 

 barely tinted, the color more intense on chest and belly, the tail 

 inclining to orange or even salmon red; ventral parts of legs yellow. 



Individuals of the species appear to be soUtary in habit, at least 

 not gregarious like L. lugubris. One passes the day concealed in 

 some crevice, from which it may be seen peering out, or it may be 

 lying flat on the shady side of a limb conveniently near an opening in 

 the bark. On an observer's approach it darts within, not always 

 concealing itself. If not further disturbed it soon turns about 

 and cautiously looks out. If a capture is attempted it either 

 disappears within its retreat or instantly springs out and makes for 

 another crevice, or scrambles nimbly up the tree on the side opposite 

 the enemy. If closely pursued it may suddenly drop to the ground, 

 where it lies sprawled out and perfectly motionless. When driven 

 into a comer it turns about, opens its mouth, and thrusts out its 

 tongue, which is moved along the lips in a characteristic way. It 

 will bite one's finger, holding on tenaciously, although not able to 

 produce the shghtest wound. 



The eggs are white, almost spherical, measuring 9 to 10 by 10 to 11 

 millimeters in diameter. The shells are smooth and firm, apparently 

 neither soft nor sticky when laid. They are deposited loosely in 

 crevices, often among eggs of L. lugubris. Four or five may occa- 

 sionally be found in the same place. 



The newly hatched young vary considerably in size, specimens 

 about 10 hours old measuring 39.5 to 56 millimeters in length, the 

 slender tail adding much to the elongate form. They are very active, 

 snapping up small insects and occasionally springing upon flies 

 almost too large for them to manage. When pursued with one's 

 finger or a pencil they rush about in a panic, thrashing their tails 

 from side to side. An egg, accidentally dropped and broken, freed 

 a young gecko, which immediately disappeared to new cover, leaving 

 the tail wriggUng among the pieces of shell. The young are able to 

 utter a scarcely audible squeak. On hatching, the skin is moist, 

 but it soon dries and becomes silvery in color. Small areas of the 

 epidermis loosen, puff out from the body, and eventually tear and 

 break away, so that in from one to two hours the new skin appears 

 bright and shming. The dorsal surface lacks the white spots of the 

 adult; the under parts are light yellow or orange, deepening on the 

 tail to orange or salmon red. 



Honolulu; Aiea, Oahu; Puako Bay, Hawaii; Lahina and Wailuku 

 River, Maui; Waimea, Kauai. Eggs of the species were fomid on 

 Laysan Island. 



