In this genus, the toes are expanded, more or less, throughout their whole length; and furnished below, with minute transverse, imbricated lamina; either entire, or, as in the figure, divided by a middle furrow. (Fig. 1.)

II. Hemidactylus, ("novs, hemisys, half.)

In this genus, the base of four or five toes, on each foot, is expanded into a disc, from the middle of which rise the two last joints, which are slender. The under surface of this disc has imbricated plates, or laminæ, often in form like the Greek letter A, or pyramidal. (See figure 2.)

III. Ptyodactylus, (Trvov, ptyon, a fan.)

In this genus, the ends of the toes are expanded into a disc, notched in front, and imbricated beneath; the plates being disposed like the strips of an open fan. The claws are placed in a fissure, which is continued down the whole of the disc. (See figure 3.)

IV. Phyllodactylus, (piXXov, phyllon, a leaf.)

In this genus, the toes are dilated, at their extremity, into a somewhat triangular disc, with a simply flat, or

convex surface beneath; but always divided by a longitudinal furrow, in which the nail is seated. (Fig. 4.)

V. Sphæriodactylus, (opaipiov, sphærion, a rounded figure.)

In this genus, the toes are somewhat cylindrical, and destitute of nails; at their tip, they are dilated into a small, circular, undivided disc. (Fig. 5.)

VI. Gymnodactylus, (uvos, gymnos, naked.)

In this genus, the claws are not retractile, nor are the toes dilated transversely; the outermost, or fifth of the toes of the hind feet, is capable of being turned, at a right angle from the rest. (See figure 6.)

VII. Stenodactylus, (OTevos, stenos, slender.)

The toes, in this genus, are cylindrical; pointed at the extremity, jagged, or dentated along their edge, and with the under surface granular. (See figure 7.)

The Geckos, thus divided into the above seven genera, amount to nearly sixty species; and are spread through Asia, Africa, and America, together with Australia. Two species are common to Northern Africa, and the most southern parts of Europe; one belonging to the genus Platydactylus, the other to the genus Hemidactylus.

The WALL GECKO, (Platydactylus muralis, Bibron,; inhabits Barbary, Egypt, the islands of the Mediterranean sea, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the south of France. In Provence, it is called Tarente; in Italy, Tarentola.

It is common among old ruins, and crumbling walls, or deserted buildings; in the crevices and holes of which it hides by day. Sometimes it ventures within houses tenanted by man. Spiders and flies are its chief prey; and, in the pursuit of these, it displays great energy. It has no pores on the thighs. The general colour of its upper parts is of an ashy grey; sometimes, however

In this genus, the toes are expanded, more or less, throughout their whole length; and furnished below, with minute transverse, imbricated lamina; either entire, or, as in the figure, divided by a middle furrow. (Fig. 1.)

6

3

5

II. Hemidactylus, ("novs, hemisys, half.)

In this genus, the base of four or five toes, on each foot, is expanded into a disc, from the middle of which rise the two last joints, which are slender.

The under surface of this disc has imbricated plates, or lamina, often in form like the Greek letter A, or pyramidal. (See figure 2.)

III. Ptyodactylus, (Tvov, ptyon, a fan.)

In this genus, the ends of the toes are expanded into a disc, notched in front, and imbricated beneat plates being disposed like the strips of

The claws are placed in a firen

down the whole of the dise

actions are with ease

val, granuis, they do

of; but are

i, as to form ngated, and are distinct, The tail is ce as long as The head is ry in distance id bright; the of hearing, are the skull, near fleshy, and very 1, twice as long and deeply forked

is nearly conical; essed laterally, and O series of flattened tail is a most im› water; they lash it side, and thus propel ity, cleaving the water onsequence of the air floats on the surface, organ, at once a rudder

are active and quick the d armed with sharp claws; to climb trees, at least to raggy precipices. The usual ction, are desert plains; of the rs. They run with facility; but The tail, and the manner in which

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the back and upper surface of the tail are of a darkbrown, with greyish bands. The under parts are of a white colour, more or less pure.

The SMOOTH GECKO, (P. theconyx, Bibron, Gecko lævis, Daud,) is a native of South America, and all the Caribbee islands, where it is called " Mabouia des Bananiers." Specimens in which the tail has been broken off, and replaced by another of imperfect growth, are very common in cabinets; and the figure assumed by the new tail in this species, has induced several naturalists to term it the Raddish-tailed Gecko, (Gecko rapicauda.)

The WARTY GECKO, (Hemidactylus verruculatus, Cuv.,) like the Wall Gecko, is a native of the countries bordering on the Mediterranean. It is found in Northern Africa, in the neighbourhood of Trebizond, in Greece, Sicily, Italy, Spain, and the south of France; and M. Bibron states, that a specimen belonging to this genus, has been brought, by M. D'Orbigny, from Chili, which so perfectly resembles this present species, as not to be distinguished from it. If M. D'Orbigny's specimen be really identical with the Warty Gecko of Southern Europe and Africa, (which, did we not know the accuracy and discrimination of M. Bibron, we should not admit,) we have, in this instance, a remarkable exception to the general rule of geographical distribution.

As little is known, beyond the general details which we have given, of the habits and manners of the Geckos, we shall not attempt to enter into the minutiae of specific descriptions, which can only be useful to the professed student. We shall, therefore, pass on to our next family.

IV. FAMILY, VARANS.

Of all the Sauria, next to the Crocodiles, the Varans attain to the largest dimensions; but, at the same time,