322 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



become lighter in colour, and the bands on the tails gradually 

 disappear. 



It is a common belief here that both our Geckos have the 

 power of inflicting leprosy on those who touch them ; this is, 

 however, only a prejudice, the poor creatures being perfectly 

 harmless. This belief, however, is the cause of a most cruel 

 persecution of these reptiles ; and so general is it also that, no 

 matter how good the offer one makes, he will find the greatest 

 difficulty in getting a boy to collect Geckos for him.* 



The Lizard from Filfola. 



The typical Lizards are represented by one species with a 

 variety and one or two forms, which are the following : — (1) the 

 Wall-Lizard {Lacerta muralis, Laur.) ; (2) the Filfola Lizard 

 (Lacerta muralis var. filfolensis, Bedr.) ; (3) the St. Paul's Islands 

 Lizard; (4) the Fungus Kock Lizard {Lacerta generalensis? , 

 Gulia). 



The typical Wall-Lizard is abundant both in Malta, Gozo, 

 and Comino, and it can be seen basking in the sun on almost 

 any stone out in the country, even during the fine days of winter, 

 hybernating (if its short disappearance during rainy days can be 



* Prof. Giglioli, of Florence, was of opinion that the Phyllodactylus 

 europceus must be found in Malta. Dr. Giovanni Gulia, however, who made 

 most diligent researches for it, states that he has not yet succeeded in 

 finding a specimen, nor have I. 



