GECKOS. 



113 



species, inhabiting the countries bordering the Mediterranean and Red Seas, 

 and also found in Sind. It belongs to a group of genera with dilated toes and 

 compressed claws, and is specially characterised by the extremities of the toes 

 being free, the plates on the under surface of the discs arranged in double rows, 

 and the presence of some large shields on the under surface of the tail. Measuring 

 not more than 4 inches in length, this species may be distinguished from the other 



FRINGED GECKO (nat. size). 



European geckos by the body being covered with from fourteen to sixteen 

 longitudinal rows of warts, of which some are white and the others blackish, and like- 

 wise by the hue of the upper-parts being greyish brown spotted with flesh-colour. 

 It is, however, said to be able to change its colour according to circumstances, being 

 of a shining milky white at night, and dark-coloured during the daytime. The 

 genus to which it belongs comprises over thirty species, ranging over Southern 

 Europe and Asia, Africa, Tropical America, and Oceania. 



vol. v. 



