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Show 412 MR. R. SWINHOE ON CHINESE REPTILES. [June 9, viduals I came across. One was brought to me from the interior; the other was captured at Takow, in the hall of a neighbouring Mandarin's office, having descended from the roof, in which it was lodged, by a rope on to a hanging lamp in pursuit of geckos (Gecko japonicus). It was tinted all over with blood-colour. The specific characters of this snake, as kindly furnished to me by Dr. Gunther, are :- Scales in 25 rows, with a very strong keel to the tip, where it sometimes slightly projects. Ventral plates 217-220. Upperside of the head with very small granular scales ; a series of larger ones along the canthus rostralis. Eleven upper labials, the second forming the anterior wall of the pit. Body brown, with a dorsal series of subrhomhic, sometimes confluent spots ; another series of similar more rounded spots along the lower part of the side. Each spot is of a dark brown colour, with a black margin, and generally a narrow white edge. Abdomen marked with brownish, each ventral shield having an ovate whitish spot on each side. 18. TRIMERESURUS ERYTHRURUS (Cantor), Giinth. I.e. p. 386. From Takow, Formosa. This is the first occurrence of this little green viper in Formosa. I have seen it frequently at Amoy ; it is a bush-loving species, climbing to the top of plants, and coiling itself round the stems and leaves. Being of a fresh-green colour, it is not easy to detect; and while catching insects I have very narrowly escaped brushing m y haud over the poisonous creature. The Chinese declare its bite to be fatal. 19. HALYS BLOMHOFFII (Boie), Giinth. 1. c. p. 393. A specimen of this spotted brown Viper was brought on board the gunboat by some of the crew who had been on shore at Ichang, on the Yangtsze. It is known from Japan and Formosa ; but this is the first instance of its occurrence in China proper. 20. RANA GRACILIS, Wiegm. ; Giinth. I. c. p. 409. From Ichang. A common Frog in the rice-fields. 21. RANA SILVATICA, Leconte; Giinth. I.e. p. 409. From Ichang, Found in woods, among the dead leaves and decaying herbage. 22. DIPLOPELMA PULCHRUM (Hallon) ; Giinth. I. c. p. 417. From Ichang. I have met this wee Frog in various parts of China and Formosa. During the rains of spring and midsummer it occurs in thousands about grassy places. It does not resort much to wet rice-fields. 23. HYLORANA MACRODACTYLA, Giinth. 1. c. p. 424. From Ichang. Does not climb trees, but keeps much to the damp ground about woods. |
