272 S A U R I A. 



Fam. GEKKOTIDAE. 



The representatives of this family are remarkable for their depressed 

 body, covered above with granular scales, giving them a salamandroid 

 aspect. On the belly, the scales are small, rhombic, and imbricated. 

 In a few genera, the sides of the abdomen are somewhat expanded 

 and fringed. The head is generally depressed and subtriangular, 

 covered with granular scales also. The tongue is thick, short, slightly 

 notched upon its extremity. The eyelids are circular; the pupil linear 

 and vertical, occasionally round : the eyes being adapted to nocturnal 

 vision. There are always two pairs of limbs ; the feet being adapted 

 to the walk. The toes are subequal, dilated, circular, subcircular, or 

 subelliptical, lamellated beneath. 



Syn. — Gechoides, Oppel, Kept. Prodr. 1811, 22. 



Geclcotiens, Cuv. Eegn. Anim. II, 1817, 44; &, 2d ed. II, 1829, 72.— DuM. & Bibr. 

 Erpet. gen. Ill, 1836, 237. 



Geckones, Spix, Spec, nov, Lacert, Bras. 1825. 

 Ascalahotoidea, Fitz. Neue Class. Kept. 1826, 68. 

 Gekkonidae, BoNAP. Sagg. Distr. Anim. Vertebr. 1831. 

 Ascalahotes, DuM. & Bibr. Erpfet. gen. Ill, 1836, 237. 

 Geckotidae, Gray, Catal. Lizz. Brit. Mus. 1845, 142. 



Nocturnal in habits, and avoiding the heat of the sun, the reptiles 

 of this family feed on insects and worms, which they swallow whole. 

 Their movements are swift and silent, the sound which they produce 

 being caused by the motion of the tongue against the palate, and has 

 suggested the name of Ge/cko, by which these animals are commonly 

 known. 



Genus GEHYRA, Gray. 



Gen. Chae.— Fingers and toes free, depressed, oval, much dilated 

 towards the end, with transverse, entire plates beneath. Thumbs 

 clawless. Back with small, granular scales. Femoral pores present. 

 Tail rounded, provided with large scales beneath. 



