8 



REPTILE GAIiLEKY. 



[Case 10,] The Geckonidm, or Geckos, are Lizards of small size, the largest 

 measuring about a foot, and have always attracted attention by 

 their possessing the faculty of ascending smooth surfaces, or even of 

 running on the ceilings of rooms like a fly. For this purpose the 



Kg. 3. 



Head of Gecho verticUlatus (Bast Indies). • 



lower surface of their toes is yjrovided with a series of movable 

 plates or disks, by the aid of which they adhere to the surface over 

 which they pass. Geckos are found in almost every part of the globe 

 between and near the tropics, frequenting houses, rocks, and trees. 



Fig. 4. 



Hind leg of Gecko verticUlatus. 



With few exceptions they are nocturnal, and consequently large- 

 eyed, animals, the pupil being generally contracted in a vertical 

 direction. Geckos are extremely useful in destroying insects and 

 though greatly feared by those not acquainted with their habits are 

 perfectly harmless. Nearly all Geckos possess a voice ; and the 

 large Gecko verticUlatus, which is extremely common in the East- 

 Indian Archipelago, utters a shrill cry, sounding like " tokee " or 

 "tock." 



