. Animate creation : popular edition of "Our living world" : a natural history. Zoology; Zoology. 72 THE SPOTTED GECKO, OR SPOTTED HEMIDACTTLE. though in point of fact, tlie jaws of the Geckos are rather feeble, and their teeth very sroall, and hardly able to i:)ierce 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- jpanded at theLi- extremities, into a roimd disc, and fur- nish
. Animate creation : popular edition of "Our living world" : a natural history. Zoology; Zoology. 72 THE SPOTTED GECKO, OR SPOTTED HEMIDACTTLE. though in point of fact, tlie jaws of the Geckos are rather feeble, and their teeth very sroall, and hardly able to i:)ierce 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- jpanded at theLi- extremities, into a roimd 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 \\\\\\ white. The Common Gecko, or Ringed Gecko, is an Asiatic. species, being as common m 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 I'un over a perpen- dicular waU. During the day-time it conceals itself in some chink or dark crev- ice, but in the evening it leaves its retreat, moving raj^idly 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 noui-ished by the hunii). Tlie male is smalle
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbr, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology
