THE SMOOTH SHEATH-CLAW. 185 



curd, others tlie Lizard fully formed, but immature ; 

 while one, which I broke, displayed the Smooth 

 Sheath-claw perfectly formed and coloured, which 

 presently crawled out, being quite independent of the 

 vitellus. The head of this new-born Gecko was 

 large ; the belly (of course) thin ; the toes well 

 formed ; the tubercles perfect ; the markings dark 

 and beautifully distinct ; the pupil linear and per- 

 pendicular. The length was two inches and a quarter ; 

 one-third of an inch of the extremity of the tail was 

 pure white, abruptly defined from the darker colour. 

 The surface of the eggs, under a lens, was covered 

 with minute tubercles of lime, something like a 

 whitewashed wall. 



The cavity in which these eggs was found was so 

 narrow, that I cannot understand how the Lizard had 

 managed to deposit them in their situation, unless 

 (vv'hich seems very improbable) they were first laid, 

 and afterwards placed with the feet. After a few 

 weeks, being again in that neighbourhood, I noticed 

 that another egg had been laid since the removal of 

 the former, and in the course of another month two 

 more, occupying the place of the first deposited. We 

 thus perceive that the Gecko lays her eggs at con- 

 siderable intervals of time, but selects the same spot 

 for their deposition. 



The ill fame under which this genus labours in 

 most parts of the world where it is known, attends it 

 here : an indefinite dread of its being in some way 

 hurtful generally prevails, perhaps mainly dependent 

 on its repulsive aspect and stealthy motions. It is, 

 however, perfectly harmless ; feeding on insects and 



