267 



GECKOTTE. 



Lacerta Dubia. L. Ihida supra aculeato-wiiicoga, papiliis fe- 



niuralibus nulli*. 

 Livid Gecko, with pointed warts on its upper surface, and no 



femoral papillae. 

 Le Geckotte. Cepede ai-ip. p. 420. 



THIS is described by the Count de Cepede, who 

 informs us that it is so nearly allied to the Gecko, 

 that, without an attentive survey, it might be 

 easily confounded with it : it is distinguished, 



however, bv its somewhat thicker or shorter form, 

 ' j 



both in body, limbs, and tail, as well as by the 

 defect of subfemoral papillae : the upper parts are 

 tuberculated, as in the former species, the tuber- 

 cles appearing most pointed about the neck, sides, 

 and tail, which latter, in the young animal, is 

 divided into stronsrlv-marked aculeated verticilli, 



O / 



owinsc to the scales with which it is at that time 



O 



covered ; but, as the animal advances in age, the 

 verticilli become gradually less conspicuous, and 

 are at length entirely obliterated, so that the part 

 appeai-s smooth, as well as much shorter than in 

 its younger state. 



This species is found in the south of France, 

 where it is called Tarente : it inhabits ruins, walls, 

 houses, &c. delighting much in sunshine, and 

 being never found in damp shady situations. In 

 winter it lies concealed in the hollows of walls, 

 beneath tiles, &c. where it remains in an inert, 

 but not a torpid state. It is regarded as innocent. 



