THE SMOOTH SHEATH-CLAW. 
185 
curd, others the Lizard fully formed, but immature ; 
while one, which I broke, displayed the Smooth 
Sheath-claw perfectly formed and coloured, which 
presently crawled out, being quite independent of the 
vitellus. The head of this new-born Gecko was 
large ; the belly (of course) thin ; the toes well 
formed ; the tubercles perfect ; the markings dark 
and beautifully distinct; the pupil linear and per- 
pendicular. The length was two inches and a quarter ; 
one-third of an inch of the extremity of the tail was 
pure white, abruptly defined from the darker colour. 
The surface of the eggs, under a lens, was covered 
with minute tubercles of lime, something like a 
whitewashed wall. 
The cavity in which these eggs was found was so 
narrow, that I cannot understand how the Lizard had 
managed to deposit them in their situation, unless 
(which seems very improbable) they were first laid, 
and afterwards placed with the feet. After a few 
weeks, being again in that neighbourhood, I noticed 
that another egg had been laid since the removal of 
the former, and in the course of another month two 
more, occupying the place of the first deposited. We 
thus perceive that the Gecko lays her eggs at con- 
siderable intervals of time, but selects the same spot 
for their deposition. 
The ill fame under which this genus labours in 
most parts of the world where it is known, attends it 
here : an indefinite dread of its being in some way 
hurtful generally prevails, perhaps mainly dependent 
on its repulsive aspect and stealthy motions. It is, 
however, perfectly harmless ; feeding on insects and 
