Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.
BURMESE GECKO.
Under-surface, showing minute hexagonal scales and peculiar structure of the adhesive toe-pads.
The first position among the Lizard Tribe is usually accorded to the Gecko Family—a group numbering 280 species, which present several somewhat anomalous features and characteristics. In the first place, in contradistinction to the majority of lizard forms, they are for the most part nocturnal in their habits, and have their eyes specially modified to meet them. Geckos, as the exception to the ordinary lizards previously referred to, possess no eyelids, and the pupil of the eye, as seen in broad daylight, is mostly represented by a narrow vertical slit, like that of a cat or a nocturnal dog-fish. As the night approaches, however, the membranous diaphragm is retracted, displaying to view a symmetrically orbicular pupil of abnormal size and luminosity. Another prominent characteristic of the geckos is the peculiar modification of their feet, which in most instances are furnished with adhesive disks or pads, which enable these lizards to run with ease, after the manner of flies, on the smooth surface of a wall or window-pane, or even along the ceiling. It is further noteworthy of the geckos that they are the only lizards which possess the power of emitting distinct vocal sounds. The name Gecko is, in point of fact, derived from the fancied resemblance to the word that constitutes the shrill, somewhat bird-like note of one of the most familiar species. "Tok," "toki," "chick, chick," "checko," and "tocktoo" are distinctive call-notes that are respectively associated with other members of the Gecko Family.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Milford-on-Sea.
MADEIRAN GECKOS.
Madeiran geckos photographed through a glass window-pane, showing the peculiar formation of their adhesive toe-pads. One example is regrowing its recently amputated tail. These geckos often travel from Madeira to Covent Garden Market among banana bunches.
The geckos are most numerously represented in the Indian and Australasian regions. None of them attain to large dimensions. They rarely exceed 1 foot in total length, and most frequently measure some 3 or 4 inches only.