220 Dr. A. Giinther on Reptiles and Fishes 



1. Lizards. 

 Eumeces xanthi. 



This species is of special interest inasmuch as it is most 

 closely allied to the Californian Eumeces Shiltonianus^ from 

 which it is barely distinguishable by a somewhat different 

 coloration and by the postfrontals being widely separate from 

 each other, whilst they are more or less in contact in the 

 American form. 



Snout of moderate length. Nasal small, followed by a 

 postnasal, which forms a suture with the first two labials ; 

 anterior loreal forming a suture with the frontonasal; four 

 supraoculars, the three anterior in contact with the vertical ; 

 occipitals entirely separated by the central occipital ; two 

 pairs of nuchals ; seventh upper labial largest ; two or tliree 

 very obtuse tubercles on the anterior border of the ear, wliicli 

 is smaller than a dorsal scale ; two azygos postmentals. 

 Twenty-four or twenty-six scales round the body, the dorsal 

 much broader than the lateral and ventral. Limbs over- 

 lapping when pressed against the body ; the length of the 

 hind limb is contained twice and a half to twice and two 

 thirds in the distance from snout to vent. A median series 

 of transversely enlarged subcaudals. Dark olive above, with 

 a black lateral band extending from the loreal region to the 

 tail ; this band is bordered above and below by a light streak, 

 which Again has a blackish margin. Four series of dorsal 

 scales separate the two lateral bands. Sometimes a light 

 longitudinal band edged with black runs along the median 

 line of the back and of the tail. Belly greenish blue. 



Four specimens were collected by Mr. Pratt at Ichang, of 

 which the largest is 6| inches long, the trunk and head 

 measuring 2| inches. 



2. Snakes. 

 Achalinus rufescens, Blgr. 



This snake was described from a deteriorated bleached 

 specimen ; in the fresh state it is of a uniform black. 

 Several specimens were found by Mr. Pratt at Ichang. 



Ahlabes chi'nensis. 



This species belongs to that group of the genus of which 

 Ahlabes melanocephalus is the type; it comes nearest to 

 Ablabes Humberti, having like that species ten upper labial 

 shields, the eighth of which is excluded from the labial mar- 



