34 
NATURAL HISTORY. [UPPER FLOOR. 
that the ends of the toes very nearly resemble the tips of 
the feet of the common fly. In another species, the 
Egyptian Sheath-claw ( Gecko lobatus )* the scales under 
the toes radiate from a centre* like the sticks of a fan; 
and the Imbricated Gecko* a species from Madagascar* 
which has the scales under the toes very like the former* 
has the edge of its body and tail dilated into fins. 
Another group ( Hernidactylus ) has only the base of the 
toes dilated* the ends being compressed and free. These 
are common about dwellings in India* Egypt* South Ame¬ 
rica* and other warm countries* and are therefore usually 
called House Lizards. Their food consists principally of 
insects* especially flies* for destroying which they are pro¬ 
tected by the inhabitants. 
The last group ( Cyrtodactylus ) has the form and habits 
of the Gecko, but differs in the toes being very thin* slen¬ 
der* versatile* and peculiarly arched* so as to give them the 
power of grasping very strongly. Of these* the Beautiful 
Cyrtodactyle ( Cyrtodactylus pulchetlus) , from India* and 
the Ocellated Cyrtodactyle ( Cyrt . ocellatus), have the tail 
slender and round* while the Flat-tailed Cyrtodactyle 
( Lacerta platuro ) of New Holland has a cordiform* ex¬ 
panded tail. 
It also contains those Lizards which have their teeth 
placed on the edge of the jaws* and so firmly fixed to them 
as to appear part of the jaws themselves; as the Chame¬ 
leons and Agamae. 
The Agamae ( Agama ) are placed in the upper part of 
this Case (No. 4): they present several peculiarities of 
form* and have therefore been separated into many groups. 
Some have the head Lyre-shaped* and the back and tail 
crested ( Gonyocephalus )* as the Tiger Agama ( Agama ti - 
grino)i other species have the head armed with spines over 
the back of the ears* and the scales large and directed up¬ 
wards ( Calotes )* as the Common Calotes ( Lacerta Calotes), 
of a fine blue colour* and the Indian Calotes ( Agama in - 
dicci). These animals lay fusiform eggs. 
TheBronchoceles differ from the Calotes* by the scales of 
the back being small and horizontal; as the Blue Broncho- 
cele ( Agama cristatella), and the Long-legged Bronchocele 
(, Agama vultuosa ); one species* the Armed Bronchocele 
