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Show 1870.] MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE REPTILES OF CHINA. 241 to one or the other of these genera, but its head is so injured that he cannot determine it. 8. TROPIDONOTUS STOLATUS (L.); Giinth. op. cit. p. 266. This common Indian species, which may be distinguished by the longitudinal white stripe it carries on each side of its back, was abundant in Hainan, as it is elsewhere in South China. 9. PYTHON MOLURUS (L.); Giinth. op. cit. p. 331. Two large Pythons were exposed in the market for sale at Tai-pingsze (Central Hainan) in February. They had been taken in the neighbourhood, and I was told that the*country people often brought them in. They were confined merely by a straw rope twisted round the neck. The natives declare that they are not hurtful to man; and are easily caught by throwing over their heads a noose of twisted grass, and may with this be led about without danger. They call them Vang, and take them for the sake of their skin, heart, and liver. The skin is used chiefly for making drums, banjos, and other musical instruments ; and the heart and liver, when dried and pounded, for stimulative medicine. They offered the live ones to me for 1200 copper cash (5*.) each, provided I would return to them the hearts and livers. This was the day after the market-day, when the countrymen had left, and I could get no one to slaughter the monsters ; so I contented myself with the couple of flat skins that I had already purchased at the bartering-station further among the mountains, which were quite sufficient to show the species. Du Halde, in his great work on China, says of Hainan, " The reptiles cannot be dangerous there, seeing the confidence with which the islanders walk day and night on the plains and in the middle of the thick wood, without arms and with nearly always naked feet. There are, however, Snakes and Vipers of a prodigious size; but as they are very timid, a simple movement or the least cry drives them to a distance." III. Batrachia. 10. R A N A ESCULENTA, L.; Giinth. op. cit. p. 408. Very common about the rice-fields, and offered in most of the Hainan markets as an article of food. I did not preserve specimens. 11. RANA GRACILIS, Wiegm.; Giinth. op. cit. p. 409. A common species in Hainan, and, indeed, all over South China. Found on marshy ground and about the edges of rice-fields. 12. HYLA CHINENSIS, Giinth. op. cit. p. 409. Occurs in the woods of the island. It is generally observed sitting motionless on a leaf, and, from its green colour, often escapes detection. In conclusion, I have to record my thanks to Dr. Giinther for examining and determining all the species named in this list. |
