1864.] 



Observations on a few Species f Geckos. 



535 



7. To prove how successful the above plan has been, I should here 

 acid that I have brought fish alive from Port Blair to Calcutta that 

 had at least been three months in the same water, and the latter 

 was as fresh as possible up to that time. 



Observations on a few Species of Geckos alive in the possession 

 of the author. — By Lt.-Col. R. C. Tytler. 



[Recieved 27th March, 1864.] 



Port Blair, 1st January, 1864. 



On several occasions lately, interesting living specimens of G-eckoid 

 Lizards have been brought from the jungles, which has induced me 

 to make an attempt to keep them alive, for the purpose of observing 

 their habits more closely, than appears generally to have been 

 done ; in order to accomplish this object I have been obliged to 

 resort to many expedients, and the only one that has proved 

 successful has been the following : I have had a great many 

 boxes made of light deal wood, two sides of which are glass : the 

 wooden portion is perforated with holes in every direction, so as to 

 admit of air passing freely through : one of the glass sides forms a slide 

 to allow of the box being opened when an animal is put into it ; at one 

 end of the box is a small tin trough for water, similar to that used in 

 Canary cages and at the bottom there is an inch of clean sand : a small 

 branch put into the box for the use of Arboreal species, completes the 

 arrangement, the tin for water is always kept full, and a number of 

 living flies, or young cockroaches are kept loose in the box, and I find 

 that this is sufficient for all the requirements of these Lizards. 



My boxes vary in size, but the most convenient are 10 inches by 6 

 and two inches wide, or 6 inches by 4, also two inches in width • but 

 as the glasses are liable to accidental breakage, I have in a measure 

 contrived to provide for and meet this, by having a separate light 

 wooden box made, capable of holding six of the glass cases : this not 

 only protects the glass 7 but keeps the freshly caught animal quiet, from 

 being in the dark, and undisturbed, which it greatly prefers • and 

 prevents the restlessness it shews on such occasions in the light. 



Without in any way wishing to question the existing classifica- 

 tion of saurian animals adopted by naturalists, I feel in the present 



