THE SPOTTED GECKO, OR SPOTTED HEMIDACTYLE. 
72 
though in point of fact, the jaws of the Geckos are rather feeble, and their teeth very small, 
and hardly able to pierce even the human skin. 
The Geckos are indebted for their power of traversing perpendicular walls to the forma- 
tion of their feet, which, although greatly varied in the different genera, have the same 
essential qualities in all. In 
this genus the toes are ex- 
panded at their extremities, 
into a round disc, and fur- 
nished with claws which are 
sheathed in a notch cut in 
the front of the disc. The 
color of the Fan-foot is red- 
dish brown spotted with white. 
The Common Gecko, or 
Ringed Gecko, is an Asiatic 
species, being as common in 
India as the preceding species 
in North Africa. It may be 
easily known from the Fan- 
foot by the large tubercles 
upon the back. 
This reptile has much the 
same habits as the Fan -foot, 
and possesses equally the 
ability to run over a perpen- 
dicular wall. During the 
day-time it conceals itself 
in some chink or dark crev- 
ice, but in the evening it 
leaves its retreat, moving 
rapidly and with such per- 
fectly silent tread that the 
ignorant natives may well 
be excused for classing it 
among supernatural beings. 
The Gecko occasionally utters a curious cry, which has been compared to that peculiar 
clucking sound employed by riders to stimulate their horses, and in some species the cry 
is very distinct and said to resemble the word Geck-o, the last syllable being given smartly 
and sharply. On account of this cry, the Geckos are variously called, Spitters, Postilions, 
and Claqueurs. 
During the cold months of the year the Geckos retire to winter quarters, and are thought 
to retain their condition during this foodless season by means of two fatty masses at the 
base of the abdomen, which are supposed to nourish them as the camel is nourished by the 
hump. The male is smaller than the female, and the eggs are very spherical, and covered 
with a brittle chalky shell. The color of the Gecko is reddish gray with white spots. The 
scales of the back are flat and smooth, and there is also a series of rather large tubercular 
projections arranged jn twelve rather distinct rows. 
Closely allied to these two reptiles is the Spotted Gecko, or Spotted Hemidactyle, a 
rather pretty species of Gecko found in various parts of Asia, and tolerably common in India, 
China and Ceylon. Sir Emerson Tennent, in his valuable work on Ceylon, gives a very 
interesting account of this little creature, and relates two curious anecdotes, exhibiting the 
readiness with which even a Gecko can be tamed by kind treatment. 
FAN-FOOT. - -Ptyodactylus yecko. 
