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Show 1870.] MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE REPTILES OF CHINA. 239 about the towns and villages of South China. The Aborigines appear to have no peculiar Dog of their own. "Choo (Pig).-Ears small, hoofs short. The white-necked variety is looked on with dislike." These small white and pied Pigs are reared in great quantity in Hainan, and a large trade is done in them with Canton, where the larger black race of South China, with long head and drooping ears, hollow back, and hanging belly, is comparatively scarce. It is the Hainan Pig that has been introduced into England, through Canton, as the "small China Pig;" and there is certainly a strong family likeness between the pretty Hainan race and the Berkshire breed at home. "Mao (or Domestic Cat).-Cannot endure fleas or lice on its skin. Cats that have nine holes inside the mouth will catch Rats the four seasons through." The Cats that I saw in the towns of Hainan were of the small short-haired race reared in Canton and throughout Southern China-very similar to the ordinary London Cat, but rather smaller. 3. List of Reptiles and Batrachians collected in the Island of Hainan (China), with Notes. By R O B E R T S W I N H O E, F.Z.S. I. Sauria. 1. VARANUS DRACENA (L.); Giinther, Reptiles of Brit. Ind. p. 65. This large Lizard appears to be common in the interior of Hainan, and is eaten by the Chinese. I procured the skin of a good-sized specimen, and the foot of a smaller one. Dr. Giinther has determined them to be of this species, which before was only known to occur in India, from Nepaul to Ceylon. I have not met with it in any other part of China. 2. MABOUIA CHINENSIS (Gray); Giinth. op. cit. p. 83. The Chinese Skink is common in Hainan, and in China generally south of the Yangtsze. It is also abundant in Formosa, and in the dry sandy millet-fields of the Pescadore Islands, where, however, it seems always to remain of a small size. The large Chinese specimens are sometimes richly marked with orange on the sides of the neck. 3. PERIPIA PERONII (Dum. et Bibr.); Giinth. op. cit. p. 110. The noisy House-gecko, Gecko japonicus (Dum. et Bibr.), did not enliven the walls of houses in Kiungchow city; but in its place this small species was occasionally seen. It seems to be silent. The best specimen I have brought was captured on the wall of the Taotai's waiting-hall at night. It was catching the flies attracted by the light of a lamp. Dr. Gunther quotes this species as occurring in Mauritius, Penang, and Ceylon; but this is its first occurrence within Chinese bounds. |