I 41 I 
(4- J Lacertidae, forms with a very long and fragik talU 
closely allied to the English Linard, 
(5.) Schwidae, the Skinks. 
Some species of the small Gecko abounds in every house 
in Singapore, the most common being Hcmidnctyhts frenatus, 
the tail of which is rounded and covered with a few rows of 
minute spines, and Gehyra mutihUat with a broad flat tail. 
They hardly need a description, as every one will have watched 
them at night time when they hunt the insects attracted by the 
light, and will have admired the ease with which they run up 
walls and along the ceiling. They are enabled to do so by means 
of the adhesive disks into which their feet are expanded. Their 
Malay name is ' Chechak ' or ' Chichak Larger forms of 
Gecko are called " to'kek " by the Malays, from their voice, 
though that of the smaller ones is very similar. These larger 
species are especially Gecko mimarchtts, about 7 inches in length, 
brownish or grey, with a double row of black spots along its 
back, and the huge Gecku vertkiUalus, 10 or more inches in 
length, grey with bright red spots. But the most beautiful one 
of Malay Geckos is Gymmdactylus pulchellus, which occurs on 
the hills of the Malay Peninsula. It is about 8 inches in length, 
and its body and tail are set oflf with a large number of broad 
brown bands and rings upon a light ground. 
Familiar to every one must be the Flying Lizards, 
* Chechak terbang,' of which Draco volans is the most common 
species* Their ' wings ' are built on quite a different principle 
from those which we know in birds and bats and flying squirrels. 
They are membranes at the sides of the body, supported by the 
ribs which are much elongated. However, they serve merely as 
parachutes. 
To the same family belongs the green Tree Lizard 
[Calotes cristatellus). wrongly called * Chamaeleon,* the * sumpah- 
sumpah ' of the Malays, so common in Singapore. It is of a 
beautiful grass-green colour which it can change into a grey- 
brown when alarmed. The largest specimen exhibited measures 
21 inches of which, however, the greater part (not less than 
16 inches) is taken up by the tail Closely allied are the various 
species of Gonyocephalus from the hills of the Malay Peninsula, 
If not longer, they are at least much stouter in the body than the 
Calotes and have a much larger dorsal crest. 
The Monitors are by far the largest of Malayan Lizards. 
The best known form is the Water Monitor ( Varanus salvaior) 
called 'Biawak' in Malay. It is misnamed IguanaMn the Straits. 
A specimen in the Museum measures 5 feet 3 inches from snout 
