natural history of china — sowerby 365 



The alligator has a much broader snout than the crocodile, while its 

 fourth tooth from the front in the lower jaw fits into a pit in the 

 upper jaw ; that of the crocodile into a notch. 



The amphibians in China are represented by numerous species of 

 frogs and toads, or tailless batrachians, as they are usually called, 

 as well as by a few newts and salamanders. The tailless batrachians 

 greatly predominate, however. Remarkable forms are the little fire- 

 bellied toads (Bo?nbina), the little tree toads (Hyla), and the 

 great tree frog (Rhacophorus) , which is as large as a good-sized 

 toad and has its long toes webbed and knobbed at the tips, 

 thus enabling it to climb with agility. In the hills and mountains 

 of Fukien and Chekiang a huge frog, not unlike a bullfrog, occurs 

 amongst the damp rocks at the very summits of the ridges and peaks. 

 Everywhere the edible frog, the smaller brown frogs, and the Asiatic 

 common toad are to be found. In the north Radde's toad, a beauti- 

 fully marked species, is very common. 



The commonest of the Urodela, or amphibians with tails, is the 

 Chinese newt (Diemictylus orientalis). A very handsome spotted 

 salamander also occurs. 



Mention should be made of the remarkable giant salamander 

 (Megalobatrachus davidi), which, with the Japanese form, M. 

 japonicus, is the largest of the present day amphibians. This crea- 

 ture has been recorded from central China, a closely related form 

 occuring in the east. Both are very rare, at least in collections. The 

 Japanese form is more common, live specimens being frequently ex- 

 hibited in collections in Europe and America. 



FISHES 



The subject of the fish, marine and fresh- water, of China is one of 

 extreme interest and importance. Its importance lies in the fact that 

 the Chinese depend so largely upon fish to supply them with the 

 necessary animal matter in their food. Of course the Chinese are 

 not unique in this, but owing to the numerous fine waterways and 

 large lakes that the country contains and her immense seaboard, 

 with a resultant magnificent supply of fish food at hand, they have 

 become fish eaters, in places to the exclusion almost of any other kind 

 of animal food. Thus the fishing industry of the country is of great 

 importance, which in turn means that a thorough knowledge of her 

 finny inhabitants is vital to the future welfare of her people. As a 

 matter of fact the fishes of China are rather well known, though it 

 is obvious that there are many new discoveries to be made in this 

 branch of the country's zoology. 



The marine fish of China, that is to say, those occurring in the 

 China seas, are closely related to those of Japan, which means that 

 they are well known, for the Japanese and American scientists have 



