1864.] 



Observations on a few Species of Geckos. 



541 



ing, and of a very pleasing nature. The larger saurians, from their imposing 

 size/ have rendered themselves familiar to many, but the little gecko 

 has seemingly been neglected, though constantly put into "bottles 

 indiscriminately, and sent to museums with little or nothing said 

 about its habits, beyond a casual remark of its being found on walls or 

 trees, and apparently an insect-eater. In reality little or nothing is 

 known of the habits of Geckos, and these can only be ascertained by 

 taking an interest in these minute creatures, and keeping them in a 

 glass box for constant examination. 



The Gecko toucktay is a i very savage animal when first caught ; 

 and as he clashes with the greatest ferocity to bite his captor, his 

 huge gaping mouth and ferocious) aspect render him a somewhat 

 alarming as well as forbidding animal to look at, notwithstanding the 

 pretty red, white and slate-coloured markings he has over his body. 



I find that Geckos which have spines on their tails, on losing the tail 

 and the same being renewed, have the newly formed tail smooth for 

 a considerable length of time, nor do the spikes appear for at least three 

 weeks or a month after its formation. When at rest, the gecko coils his 

 tail, so as to be entirely concealed in the crevice or other place he happens 

 to be in ; but when in search of food, or disturbed, the tail remains at its 

 full stretch, and in a certain measure assists him in adhering to walls or 

 other places, as well as to guide him in his movements. When a gecko 

 loses his tail, he appears to be much inconvenienced by the loss, for instead 

 of creeping gracefully and leisurely as he generally does, his move- 

 ments become short leaps, or a succession of rapid running jerks with 

 his head elevated. 



On seizing an insect, the gecko does not use his tongue, but seizes 

 his prey with his jaws, and after a few bites and gulps swallows it 

 without tearing it to pieces. The tongue of the gecko is large and 

 fleshy, and rounded or notched at its extremity, which is free. The 

 teeth, which are very small, are sharp with cutting edges, and numerous, 

 adhering to the internal margin of the jaws, but there are no palatine 

 teeth. A curious and somewhat strange peculiarity in these lizards, 

 is that 'on being caught they pass a quantity of urine, which 

 is evidently not the result of alarm, but it seems as if this is 

 resorted to for the purpose of aiding them in their escape when seized 

 by other animals j The liquid is quite clear, and although plentifully 

 passed on the seizure of the animal, it is often ejected when not 



