628 MR. STANLEY S. FLOWER ON THE [May 16, 



from M. Pran and Hinlap : subsequently, in Nov. 1897, I caught 

 two more under stones in the jungle near Hinlap (Dong Phya Pai), 

 elevation about 700 feet. 



Colour (in life). Above brown, spotted very strongly with black. 

 Below grey, mottled with purple. Underneath of head brown. 

 Labials marked with dark purplish brown and pale yellowish 

 brown. 



Size. Total length 86 mm. (snout to vent 42 ; tail 44). 



Hab. Siam. 



The three species of small House-Geckoes, Hemidactylusfrenatus, 

 Hemidactylus plafyurus, and GeJiyra mutilata, resemble each other 

 in habits, and are collectively called, both by Europeans and natives, 

 by onomatopoetic names : — 



Siamese : " ching-chok." 



Malay : " chichak " (pronounced " chee-chah "). 



34. Hemidactylus erebtatus (Schleg.). 



Hemidactylus frenatus, Cantor, p. 23 ; Stol. J. A. S. B. 1870, 

 p. 104 ; Blgr. Cat. Liz. i. p. 120 ; S. Plower, P. Z. S. 1896, 

 p. 865. 



Localities. This seems the commonest House-G-ecko throughout 

 the Malay Peninsula and Siam ; I have obtained it in the fol- 

 lowing places : — Penang, from sea-level up to 2260 feet elevation ; 

 Pulo Tikus (Eat Island) near Penang ; Perak, from Matang (sea- 

 le\ el), Taiping, Kuala Kangsa, Ipoh and Batu Gajah ; Selangor, 

 from Kuala Lumpor ; Johore, from Johore Bahru and from Dum- 

 druan Estate, Gunong Pulai ; Kedah, from Alor Star; Siam, from 

 Bangkok, Ayuthia, Pakpreo, Pachim, Tahkamen, Bortong Kabin, 

 and Chantaboon, I have not seen this species in Singapore, but 

 Cantor records it from there, and there can be no reason why it 

 should not be as numerous there as elsewhere. This Gecko was 

 numerous on a boat in which we travelled for some weeks on the 

 Bangpakong river, and I have also caught it at sea on board a 

 steamer plying between Hongkong, Bangkok, Singapore, and 

 West Australia, which helps to show how the species may have 

 got its present wide distribution. 



Habits. It frequents houses, gardens, and the open country 

 (where it hides under stones during the daytime), but indoors it 

 is by no means strictly nocturnal. If kept in confinement, it will 

 eat mealworms readily. 



Colour. The adult seems to have considerable power in changing 

 its colour; usually it is buff or ashy brown, but I have seen 

 individuals very dark brown, almost black. The markings also 

 come and go, but a darkish-brown line on the side of the head, 

 passing through the eye, is usually constant and edged with yellow 

 above. The young (like those of Gehyra mutilata) are very prettily 

 marked : the upper surface is brown with darker and lighter 

 spots, a darlier lateral line, tail ringed alternately dark brown 

 and yellow ; lower surface immaculate buff, except the tail, which 

 may be coral-red. 



